Posted in Features, News on Oct 22, 2020.
“All the best Amakhosi,” says Emile Baron ahead of Kaizer Chiefs’ first league fixture of the 2020/2021 season again Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
The former goalkeeper not only played for the Glamour Boys, but also worked with Chiefs’ new coach Gavin Hunt, when Baron was at SuperSport United.
“Gavin nurtures that mentality in the players to always give 120%,” the former Bafana Bafana international comments. “He’s a good motivator and that is something he does continuously during the week at training.
“Gavin gets to know the players very quickly – some he will take to the side to have a little word, while with others he will be quite firm in order to get the best out of them.”
Amakhosi booked their first win of the season last weekend, beating Maritzburg United 2-1 in an MTN8 quarterfinal clash.
Baron was happy to see Itumeleng Khune, with whom he worked closely during his Chiefs days, back in goal. “I have always rated Itu. When he is fit, he always delivers the best. He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper.”
Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama will be back in the squad as they return from suspension.
The game against Sundowns will still be played without supporters, due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
“Both teams are used to having big crowds at their games, especially Chiefs,” Baron says. “Playing without supporters is to the advantage of smaller teams. It means that players must do things differently. Although, they have already played many games without supporters, at the end of last season. So, they will have adapted to the absence of supporters by now, even though, as a player, you will always miss their presence.”
About Saturday’s match against Sundowns, Baron adds: “The first league game of a new season is of utmost importance, as you want to have a good start. Gavin will stress that to the players – he is a coach who wants to win titles.
“Gavin always has something up his sleeve for big games and he usually comes out on top. I can’t wait to watch the match on Saturday.”
Baron feels that “we will get a positive result”. He concludes by saying, “please don’t forget, I am a Khosi 4 Life”.
Chiefs will host Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 24 October, with a 15:30 kick-off time. No spectators will be allowed in the stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the DStv channel SuperSport 202 and SABC 1, including various SABC radio stations, with commentary coming through the Twitter handle, @KaizerChiefs
The former goalkeeper not only played for the Glamour Boys, but also worked with Chiefs’ new coach Gavin Hunt, when Baron was at SuperSport United.
“Gavin nurtures that mentality in the players to always give 120%,” the former Bafana Bafana international comments. “He’s a good motivator and that is something he does continuously during the week at training.
“Gavin gets to know the players very quickly – some he will take to the side to have a little word, while with others he will be quite firm in order to get the best out of them.”
Amakhosi booked their first win of the season last weekend, beating Maritzburg United 2-1 in an MTN8 quarterfinal clash.
Baron was happy to see Itumeleng Khune, with whom he worked closely during his Chiefs days, back in goal. “I have always rated Itu. When he is fit, he always delivers the best. He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper.”
Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama will be back in the squad as they return from suspension.
The game against Sundowns will still be played without supporters, due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
“Both teams are used to having big crowds at their games, especially Chiefs,” Baron says. “Playing without supporters is to the advantage of smaller teams. It means that players must do things differently. Although, they have already played many games without supporters, at the end of last season. So, they will have adapted to the absence of supporters by now, even though, as a player, you will always miss their presence.”
About Saturday’s match against Sundowns, Baron adds: “The first league game of a new season is of utmost importance, as you want to have a good start. Gavin will stress that to the players – he is a coach who wants to win titles.
“Gavin always has something up his sleeve for big games and he usually comes out on top. I can’t wait to watch the match on Saturday.”
Baron feels that “we will get a positive result”. He concludes by saying, “please don’t forget, I am a Khosi 4 Life”.
Chiefs will host Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 24 October, with a 15:30 kick-off time. No spectators will be allowed in the stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the DStv channel SuperSport 202 and SABC 1, including various SABC radio stations, with commentary coming through the Twitter handle, @KaizerChiefs
