“This was a great learning experience for our players,” reflected Doctor Khumalo after Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-0 loss against German Bundesliga side 1899 Hoffenheim on Friday evening. Khumalo was in charge of the squad with Stuart Baxter sitting in the stands.

“Hoffenheim’s tactical approach is different from PSL-teams,” Khumalo continued. “You can tell the players about this, but they won’t really realise until they experience it in a game. For example, the Germans allowed us little time on the ball as they squeeze the space on the field wherever the ball is. They also play at a high-intensity, especially in the transition from defence to attack.”

“We also missed five players who are with Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Tsepo Masilela and Willard Katsanda were not available too. However, this meant that youngsters who have played with our Reserve side, like Simphiwe Mtsweni, Kgotso Moleko and Levy Mokgothu, got an opportunity to play.”

“I was happy with the balance in the team, despite all these changes. I was only disappointed with how Hoffenheim scored. It was a mental factor, a lack of concentration on our side. We learn from that. We lost our first game this season. But I am not worried about that. The result didn’t matter so much. We know now what we have to look for.”

On being in charge of the team for the Hoffenheim encounter, Khumalo commented: “That was a great honour. On the other hand, yes, Stuart Baxter is the head coach and I am his assistant. However, we plan as a technical team. We always do things together. This rotation of coaches was planned due to Baxter’s original plan to be in Japan today. But he didn’t go, due to a bad bout of flu earlier this week. Stuart and I trust and believe in each other. That’s the most important.”