Posted in News, Team News on Aug 28, 2018.
“It will be a tricky game,” says Fabian McCarthy about Wednesday’s league clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic. “The game on Sunday took a lot of energy out of the Chiefs players, while Celtic had a break of a week and they are fresh.”
The former defender played for both Amakhosi and Phunya Sele Sele. So he knows both sides well. “Two out of Celtic’s three league matches have been played at home. They love playing at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, but they are often a different team on the road and it’s never easy to come to FNB Stadium.”
McCarthy played for Amakhosi between 2003 and 2008, winning two league titles and several cup trophies.
He is positive about what he has seen of Chiefs’ new coach Giovanni Solinas. “I can see his intentions,” McCarthy comments. “It’s a matter of time before it starts working. We have to understand that the coach wasn’t there during most of pre-season and Chiefs are now playing a lot of games with little time to prepare for specific games.
“I like the philosophy the coach is looking at implementing. He’s trying to play a quick transition game from the back going forward, while he also likes the pressing game. Solinas must be given time as I am sure that he will do well.”
About the performances of the Amakhosi side, McCarthy adds: “Khama Billiat is settling in nicely. He’s a quality player and is clearly hungry after his move to Chiefs. Leonardo Castro is also picking up and Siphelele Ntshangase is improving as well, making less mistakes compared to last season. He just needs to work on his match fitness because Siphelele is a box-to-box player. You want him to get more into the box to score goals.”
Chiefs’ former defender is also satisfied with the progress of Dumsani Zuma. “Signing Lebogang Manyama was great. I am looking forward to see him form a combination with Castro, Billiat and Ntshangase. That will be something to watch.”
Celtic’s coach is Steve Komphela, who led Amakhosi for the last three seasons, while defender Lorenzo Gordinho is still on loan from Chiefs at the Bloemfontein-based club.
“Anybody who comes up against his former club wants those bragging rights of a win,” McCarthy explains, “and it will be no different for Steve and Lorenzo.”
Chiefs are presently in 13th spot on the league table, having three points from four matches, while Celtic are in second place, having collected maximum points from their three outings.
“I am really looking forward to the clash,” enthuses McCarthy, “it promises to be an enjoyable game to watch.”
Tickets for this Absa Premiership between Chiefs and Celtic are sold for R40 at Computicket and Checkers/Shoprite outlets nationwide. The game will take place at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 29 August (kick-off is at 19:30).
Parking is free.
However, please be aware that NO TICKETS are sold at the stadium.
And for supporters who want to buy authentic Amakhosi merchandise, the Kaizer Chiefs Retail store at the FNB Stadium is situated at Gate K.
The former defender played for both Amakhosi and Phunya Sele Sele. So he knows both sides well. “Two out of Celtic’s three league matches have been played at home. They love playing at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, but they are often a different team on the road and it’s never easy to come to FNB Stadium.”
McCarthy played for Amakhosi between 2003 and 2008, winning two league titles and several cup trophies.
He is positive about what he has seen of Chiefs’ new coach Giovanni Solinas. “I can see his intentions,” McCarthy comments. “It’s a matter of time before it starts working. We have to understand that the coach wasn’t there during most of pre-season and Chiefs are now playing a lot of games with little time to prepare for specific games.
“I like the philosophy the coach is looking at implementing. He’s trying to play a quick transition game from the back going forward, while he also likes the pressing game. Solinas must be given time as I am sure that he will do well.”
About the performances of the Amakhosi side, McCarthy adds: “Khama Billiat is settling in nicely. He’s a quality player and is clearly hungry after his move to Chiefs. Leonardo Castro is also picking up and Siphelele Ntshangase is improving as well, making less mistakes compared to last season. He just needs to work on his match fitness because Siphelele is a box-to-box player. You want him to get more into the box to score goals.”
Chiefs’ former defender is also satisfied with the progress of Dumsani Zuma. “Signing Lebogang Manyama was great. I am looking forward to see him form a combination with Castro, Billiat and Ntshangase. That will be something to watch.”
Celtic’s coach is Steve Komphela, who led Amakhosi for the last three seasons, while defender Lorenzo Gordinho is still on loan from Chiefs at the Bloemfontein-based club.
“Anybody who comes up against his former club wants those bragging rights of a win,” McCarthy explains, “and it will be no different for Steve and Lorenzo.”
Chiefs are presently in 13th spot on the league table, having three points from four matches, while Celtic are in second place, having collected maximum points from their three outings.
“I am really looking forward to the clash,” enthuses McCarthy, “it promises to be an enjoyable game to watch.”
Tickets for this Absa Premiership between Chiefs and Celtic are sold for R40 at Computicket and Checkers/Shoprite outlets nationwide. The game will take place at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 29 August (kick-off is at 19:30).
Parking is free.
However, please be aware that NO TICKETS are sold at the stadium.
And for supporters who want to buy authentic Amakhosi merchandise, the Kaizer Chiefs Retail store at the FNB Stadium is situated at Gate K.
