Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Emille Baron is confident that the team is on a right track ahead of what is going to be a gruelling 2008/2009 season. The Phefeni Glamour Boys are looking at doing much better than they did last season where they finished 6th and won the Telkom Knockout.

“Things are looking good for us this season” said the goalkeeper who showed glimpses of why he is one of South Africa’s top goalkeepers during emphatic victory against Santos last weekend.

“The guys have looked focused from the first day we reported for training after the break. There is a huge difference to the side we had last season, besides being focused I do think we have a well-balanced team with a good mixture of young and old players. The enthusiasm showed by the younger players has been great and has rubbed off on all of us in the team,” he told kaizerchiefs.com.

Baron believes that the team learnt a lot of lessons from last season, “We are much more focused on playing football this season. It is the job that we need to do on the field that is more important than anything else” he said.

Baron who has over 15 years been playing in top-flight football told kaizerchiefs.com that he enjoys working with younger goalkeepers, Itumeleng Khune and Thela Ngobeni.

“It is a pleasure working with both goalkeepers. They are both naturally talented. People are yet to see Thela Ngobeni who like Khune relies much on natural ability. He is gifted, agile and very quick off the mark. I do talk to him a lot, as at times he wants to do everything quick. This will however come with experience and he is definitely one for the future.

I do spend time with the younger guys in the team to share my experience as one of the senior players. I have been through a lot during my early days in football and I want to see them doing well in their careers. ” said the Cape Town born goal minder.

Baron says despite doing well as a team against Santos, as a team they are focusing on winning every game they play this season.

“We all know it is going to be tough but the priority for Kaizer Chiefs will always be to win the league. Not only the league but all the games we play. Here at Chiefs we set very high standards and I think we have what it takes to achieve our goals. The win against Santos was a very good booster for us ahead of the semifinal clash against Swallows this coming weekend. It is not going to be easy one for us as we will have to play at home and away basis, but we hope to proceed to the final.” he concluded.