Posted in News, Team News on Aug 12, 2018.
“I am proud of the boys,” said coach Giovanni Solinas after Kaizer Chiefs’ brilliant 3-0 thumping of Free State Stars to reach the semis of the MTN8. “Congratulations to my boys, they played a beautiful game.”
The Amakhosi coach was happy about his side’s performance, but also felt “shocked” afterwards, “because of the serious injury sustained by such a nice guy as Joseph Molangoane. The players are shaken in the dressing room. We will miss a good teammate and an important player. We dedicate this game to Joseph.”
Molangoane had to be stretchered off the pitch in the second half after a getting kicked just above his ankle by Ea Lla Kota’s Makhehleni Makhaula. ‘Tight’ was immediately taken to the hospital, where it was confirmed that the midfielder, who had a fantastic match, sustained a fracture and, as result, will be out for a while.
“It was a game of in or out,” Solinas continued, “there are no second chances in cup matches. We played very positively, creating a lot of chances. Every player pressed, covered well and we had a compact defence as a team.”
The Italian made four changes to the starting XI, bringing in Virgil Vries, Siyabonga Ngezana, Joseph Molangoane and Dumsani Zuma for Itumeleng Khune, Erick Mathoho, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker. Khune had asked for leave to attend to a personal matter. His replacement, Vries delivered a fine performance on debut.
“We played the first two matches with the same line-up,” Solinas explained the numerous changes. “We decided to refresh the team with fresh energy by bringing in some younger players.”
Siphehlele Ntsangase was selected as the Man of the Match after a fantastic performance, winning balls in midfield and passing the ball around with confidence. “Ntshangase is a number ten,” the Amakhosi mentor commented, “but I want to convert him to a midfielder, playing a bit deeper and next to Willard Katsande, so that these two will hold the midfield. Ntshangase had a good game.”
Dumsani Zuma, Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat scored the goals in the 3-0 win. Solinas had some positive words about Chiefs’ new recruit, Billiat after netting his first goal for the Glamour Boys and delivering another fine performance.
“I don’t want to disrespect other players in the PSL, but, for me, Billiat is the best player in South Africa. He can easily play in Europa and it’s a privilege to have a player like Billiat in my squad.”
The Chiefs coach did point out though that there is still a lot of work to do. “We need training sessions, but we don’t have those at present, because we play a match every three to four days, which leaves little to no time to work on our game. Training sessions are an instrument to improve. However, when we train, the guys show commitment and that makes me very confident for our future.”
The draw for the MTN8 semi-final fixtures will be held immediately after Sunday afternoon’s match between Maritzburg United and Cape Town City.
Kaizer Chiefs’ next game will be an Absa Premiership clash on the road against Baroka FC at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening, 14 August 2018 (kick-off is at 19:30).
The Amakhosi coach was happy about his side’s performance, but also felt “shocked” afterwards, “because of the serious injury sustained by such a nice guy as Joseph Molangoane. The players are shaken in the dressing room. We will miss a good teammate and an important player. We dedicate this game to Joseph.”
Molangoane had to be stretchered off the pitch in the second half after a getting kicked just above his ankle by Ea Lla Kota’s Makhehleni Makhaula. ‘Tight’ was immediately taken to the hospital, where it was confirmed that the midfielder, who had a fantastic match, sustained a fracture and, as result, will be out for a while.
“It was a game of in or out,” Solinas continued, “there are no second chances in cup matches. We played very positively, creating a lot of chances. Every player pressed, covered well and we had a compact defence as a team.”
The Italian made four changes to the starting XI, bringing in Virgil Vries, Siyabonga Ngezana, Joseph Molangoane and Dumsani Zuma for Itumeleng Khune, Erick Mathoho, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker. Khune had asked for leave to attend to a personal matter. His replacement, Vries delivered a fine performance on debut.
“We played the first two matches with the same line-up,” Solinas explained the numerous changes. “We decided to refresh the team with fresh energy by bringing in some younger players.”
Siphehlele Ntsangase was selected as the Man of the Match after a fantastic performance, winning balls in midfield and passing the ball around with confidence. “Ntshangase is a number ten,” the Amakhosi mentor commented, “but I want to convert him to a midfielder, playing a bit deeper and next to Willard Katsande, so that these two will hold the midfield. Ntshangase had a good game.”
Dumsani Zuma, Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat scored the goals in the 3-0 win. Solinas had some positive words about Chiefs’ new recruit, Billiat after netting his first goal for the Glamour Boys and delivering another fine performance.
“I don’t want to disrespect other players in the PSL, but, for me, Billiat is the best player in South Africa. He can easily play in Europa and it’s a privilege to have a player like Billiat in my squad.”
The Chiefs coach did point out though that there is still a lot of work to do. “We need training sessions, but we don’t have those at present, because we play a match every three to four days, which leaves little to no time to work on our game. Training sessions are an instrument to improve. However, when we train, the guys show commitment and that makes me very confident for our future.”
The draw for the MTN8 semi-final fixtures will be held immediately after Sunday afternoon’s match between Maritzburg United and Cape Town City.
Kaizer Chiefs’ next game will be an Absa Premiership clash on the road against Baroka FC at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening, 14 August 2018 (kick-off is at 19:30).
