Posted in News, Team News on Aug 25, 2020.
“The players should encourage each other,” says Brian ‘Spiderman’ Baloyi ahead of Kaizer Chiefs’ crucial Absa Premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns on Thursday night.
“The boys are all staying in the bio-bubble, the Biological Safe Environment (BSE), because of the Covid-19 epidemic. They should try to shut out the outside world. Also forget about social media, at least until the last game of the season. The players have each other. They should stay positive, be together and form a strong unit.”
Amakhosi played to a 1-1 draw to Stellenbosch FC with Lazalous Kambole netting the equaliser, while Masandawana beat Golden Arrows 1-0 thanks to an injury time goal from Themba Zwane.
It means that Chiefs are still on top of the log with 53 points. That’s three ahead of Sundowns with both sides having played 26 matches.
Amakhosi booked five points from four games since the restart of the league, while the Pretoria-based side got six points from five encounters.
“It promises to be a tough match,” admits the former Chiefs and Sundowns goalkeeper. “I had hoped that, with Sundowns drawing so many games, we would have been five to six points clear. But that’s not how it is.
“However, I am sure that all the players, even those not playing, are aware about the situation we are in. We have the opportunity to win a major trophy in our 50th anniversary year. It’s something that doesn’t presents itself every day. That’s why it’s so important that the players go into Thursday’s game with a positive mindset, because they have the chance to write themselves into the club’s history books.”
Baloyi also urges the senior players to take the lead. “The players should stop listening to and reading about any criticism coming their way. Chiefs have a very good team and it’s up to the senior players to talk with their teammates, especially the younger ones to let them know how special they are.”
The 46-year-old Alexandra-born, who was also Amakhosi’s goalkeeper coach for a while, feels that Willard Katsande has been the stand-out player since the resumption of the league. “He covers everybody’s back, and he works tirelessly for the team.”
He has also been impressed with the Kenyan defender/midfielder Anthony Agay and is happy that Kambole scored his first goal in the Gold and Black. “Samir Nurković is suspended for the Sundowns fixture. So Kambole is now in a great position for the next game. The Zambian striker must just go into that match with an attitude to enjoy himself. The goals will follow.”
As a former goalkeeper, it is not surprising that Baloyi has a word for Chiefs’ number one between the posts. Daniel Akpeyi has been selected as the goalkeeper for all the matches since the restart.
“Soccer is a team sport,” ‘Spiderman’ points out. “Akpeyi has done well and the whole team should be supporting him, including Itumeleng Khune, who is the captain. To be a captain is not only about what you do on the pitch, it’s also what you do off it. Leaders are there to lead the team and I am sure that’s what Itu is doing, even though he’s not playing, motivating his teammates and rallying the troops to go into the Sundowns match ready and with a positive mindset.”
Amakhosi will host Masandawana at Orlando Stadium on Thursday, 27 August (kick-off at 18:00). No supporters will be allowed in the stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the DStv channel, SuperSport 4.
“The boys are all staying in the bio-bubble, the Biological Safe Environment (BSE), because of the Covid-19 epidemic. They should try to shut out the outside world. Also forget about social media, at least until the last game of the season. The players have each other. They should stay positive, be together and form a strong unit.”
Amakhosi played to a 1-1 draw to Stellenbosch FC with Lazalous Kambole netting the equaliser, while Masandawana beat Golden Arrows 1-0 thanks to an injury time goal from Themba Zwane.
It means that Chiefs are still on top of the log with 53 points. That’s three ahead of Sundowns with both sides having played 26 matches.
Amakhosi booked five points from four games since the restart of the league, while the Pretoria-based side got six points from five encounters.
“It promises to be a tough match,” admits the former Chiefs and Sundowns goalkeeper. “I had hoped that, with Sundowns drawing so many games, we would have been five to six points clear. But that’s not how it is.
“However, I am sure that all the players, even those not playing, are aware about the situation we are in. We have the opportunity to win a major trophy in our 50th anniversary year. It’s something that doesn’t presents itself every day. That’s why it’s so important that the players go into Thursday’s game with a positive mindset, because they have the chance to write themselves into the club’s history books.”
Baloyi also urges the senior players to take the lead. “The players should stop listening to and reading about any criticism coming their way. Chiefs have a very good team and it’s up to the senior players to talk with their teammates, especially the younger ones to let them know how special they are.”
The 46-year-old Alexandra-born, who was also Amakhosi’s goalkeeper coach for a while, feels that Willard Katsande has been the stand-out player since the resumption of the league. “He covers everybody’s back, and he works tirelessly for the team.”
He has also been impressed with the Kenyan defender/midfielder Anthony Agay and is happy that Kambole scored his first goal in the Gold and Black. “Samir Nurković is suspended for the Sundowns fixture. So Kambole is now in a great position for the next game. The Zambian striker must just go into that match with an attitude to enjoy himself. The goals will follow.”
As a former goalkeeper, it is not surprising that Baloyi has a word for Chiefs’ number one between the posts. Daniel Akpeyi has been selected as the goalkeeper for all the matches since the restart.
“Soccer is a team sport,” ‘Spiderman’ points out. “Akpeyi has done well and the whole team should be supporting him, including Itumeleng Khune, who is the captain. To be a captain is not only about what you do on the pitch, it’s also what you do off it. Leaders are there to lead the team and I am sure that’s what Itu is doing, even though he’s not playing, motivating his teammates and rallying the troops to go into the Sundowns match ready and with a positive mindset.”
Amakhosi will host Masandawana at Orlando Stadium on Thursday, 27 August (kick-off at 18:00). No supporters will be allowed in the stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the DStv channel, SuperSport 4.
