Posted in News on Aug 07, 2007.
In the process, the team has been through four provinces playing in competitions like the Limpopo Challenge, the Vodacom Challenge and the recent Telkom Charity Cup. Barely a month of hard work and toil, we have been unsurprisingly tormented with lots of negative comments that spared no feeling for Management, new players and the Technical Team alike.
Already abuzz with unfortunate pre-season judgements and assessment of the team’s preparation, some sections of our football community and our very own supporters have already predicted doom for the team. A barrage of innuendos like “the Coach is not the right person, the players are too inexperienced, so and so is past his glory and Management is dizzy” have achieved so much prominence to a point of churning my already rebellious stomach.
Prophets of doom have already dismissed the Amakhosi based on a four-match pre-season programme, which incidentally had its own objectives beyond winning any trophy. Understandably, supporters and fans alike would settle for nothing less but a win, but in the context of these competitions, our Technical Team had their objectives too.
Without giving too much detail, the first objective was to reignite the competitive urge that had been rested for almost a month during the off-season. The second was to assess the entire squad by giving each player an opportunity without any rush or pressure.
Thirdly, it was to raise their levels of fitness and thanks to Elsa Storm and her colleagues, our boys have already knuckled to serious body conditioning. Fourthly it was to try different combinations by introducing new faces, mixing them with experience and providing the Technical Team with some data as to who would fit into their plans for the season.
Throughout all these, and in typical fashion, those absent of rational and vision, have already predicted a bleak future by undermining efforts that have been intended to re-engineer a spirited team. In the process they have turned a blind eye to the achievements including a transformed Technical Team headed by an award-winning Coach Muhsin Ertugral, the promotion of young talented protégés from our Development Programme, and the acquisition of experienced Mabhuti Khenyeza and Mokete Tsotetsi.
Essentially, our base at Naturena has been a beehive of activity in dealing with chancers, and promising lads that unfortunately could not meet the team’s requirements. Whilst my limited technical know-how may not qualify me as a prolific assessor of the progress already made, I am certain that our moth-long preparation has been on track and the Technical Team is now ready to make informed decisions. For the record and in looking at the different matches and without giving any excuses on the losses, our performance has indeed shown that that there is some progress.
In retrospect, our Limpopo Challenge outing was essentially decided on penalties, something of a nightmare for any kicker and stopper alike. The match could have gone either way, but the achievement of the Technical Team on the day was to introduce Tshepo Bulu, Markus Bosckor, Mandla Masango, Onismor Basera and Thuso Phala to the ranks. They did well under the circumstances.
Our next outing was against a formidable Tottenham Hotspur in the Durban Vodacom Challenge. Here there was no doubt that we were pitted against giants of European football and despite the loss, we accounted ourselves well. Clearly our lads were showing composure and some urgency coupled with a tactical awareness that drew favourable comments from the visiting Coach, Martin Jol.
Against the likes of Berbatov, Kaboul, the feisty Keane and Taarabt, one would have expected us to have been humiliated, but we stood our own and displayed that we were no pushovers. Having seen our lads in training, Shaun Bartlett’s goal was executed clinically the way the Coach had shown them at training. The runs from the flank by Basera and Phala, the midfield composure of Mooki, and penetration of Khenyeza demonstrated some measure of progress.
Against Orlando Pirates, we came across as determined to salvage our pride except for the decisive goal we conceded. Admittedly, any loss against this team is hard to accept, but we saw flashes of brilliance from the dangerous Siphiwe Tshabalala who was brutally hacked out of play.
It was in this match that we noticed the urgency of addressing our defence as we later signed Mokete Tsotetsi from Jomo Cosmos. In addition, we have since afforded Jonathan Quartey from Ghana an opportunity, and a decision would follow soon.
In the second loss to our rivals in the Telkom Charity, we saw sterling performance from our defence with the two Mokete and Jonathan combining well with Basera and Nzama to thwart some dangerous moves. We also saw a goal from a man known for his no-nonsense marshalling of the middle field Tenashe Nengomasha, in a move that typified what was practised over the week.
Again we were let down by poor performance in the penalty kick out, something that could have decided our qualification into the finals had they been converted. The introduction of the young Mandla Masango and the calculated substitution of Jonathan to opt for a three-man defensive wall was another way of showing the Coach’s confidence in his squad and the attempt to consolidate the entire planning process.
Like I stated earlier, I do not want to emulate touchline critics or pavilion coaches, except to assure our supporters that there is work in progress and very soon, our preparation would bear fruit. I have no doubt that our lads are conscious of their performance and they owe the thousands of supporters an improved and result -driven performance as the 2007/8 season beckons. Similarly, our Technical Team is now better positioned to determine the cause of action in consolidating all their preparations for the season.
Whilst I admit that some of us may not be convinced of our preparation, I would however like to address the destructive statements that have already received prominence in numerous social circles. Whilst I respect the power of free speech, I must unequivocally state that I literally turn in my skin when so called Amakhosi 4 Life get carried away by hurling insults to an establishment that boasts thirty seven years of success whilst negotiating undulating highs and lows.
For as long as I recall, we have seen Amakhosi rise against all odds to reclaim its status as a powerhouse of football amidst the ever-present threat of destruction from its very own pillars – its supporters. I may not be tempted to spit bile and revenge the insults; rather I express with contempt the manner in which the month old preparation has been undermined.
For the record, there are skew fingers that have been prematurely pointed at a Coach that has just inherited two seasons of moral badgering on the part of the players. Having lost the opportunity to defend our Top Eight trophy, losing our ABSA Cup, losing in the first round of the Telkom Knockout, the Limpopo and the Vodacom Challenges, and recently the Telkom Charity, has surely taken its toll on the mental makeup of our players.
Surely the last thing they need is condemnation from people that should essentially galvanise all efforts to lift their spirits. I find it a heartless blasphemy when someone suggests that the boys deliberately went out to lose a game that they would have otherwise won that “easily”.
It is even worse when some sectors that thrive on creating a so called “platform to wail” literally give prominence to supporters that label our players as “old and tired, our coach as not being the right man for the job, Management of being rudderless and absent of vision” and many unsavoury statements that have passed in the name of freedom of speech.
It is such kind of distortions that honestly challenge me to at least state that there was never an easy season for Kaizer Chiefs. Neither has it been stated that the Amakhosi would not stumble but it would effortlessly steamroll over any opposition with impunity.
This mentality has obviously festered to a point where some supporters have become just too quick to spell doom and failure to the detriment of their sanity and that of the team. My understanding of any kind of sports is that the result can only mean two things, victory or defeat. In the case of football and other sporting codes, a drawn result may at least offer a gleam of hope.
I must share with you that since the start of our pre-season; our offices have endured nothing but a volcanic array of insults that were based on the analysis of the previous season’s performance. To date I have yet to answer a call from someone expressing hope or at least inspiring us to look positively into the new season.
I have yet to read something that puts a smile on our faces! Like all of us at Naturena, we hunger for some encouragement and some hope-infused energy that we could apply to rebuild the formidable battleship of Amakhosi.
Of course, I cannot be blind and pretend that we are immune to criticism, but like the rest of my colleagues and players, we are all so thirsty for fresh comments and utterances particularly from our supporters that have just been shaken by four consecutive losses in the pre-season nogal! Granted, a team in the calibre of Amakhosi would always come under spotlight irrespective of any result, but the truth is that it can only do better when all those who purport to identify with its success could use their energies to build instead of destroy.
I must also commend those that would occasionally throw a soothing comment that the mighty Amakhosi would rise and conquer again. I must also appreciate those that have demonstrated their confidence by honouring all the matches that we have played thus far.
A big thank you to all those that ensured our participation in the Telkom Charity and may I assure you that we are spending sleepless nights to ensure that the famous gold and black would once more spell terror against anyone who dares!
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that we are working tirelessly to rebuild our team. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to reconsider our contribution and align such to achieve one objective; that of restoring and putting Amakhosi back where it belongs – on top! Surely we could do with some positive encouragement!
Ta!
Thebe Mohatle
Khosi 4 Life!!!!
