Kaizer Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru and his two assistants Donald Khuse and Doctor Khumalo wrapped up their tactical preparations in good form at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium on Monday, 14th July 2003 as they focused mainly on the mental and psychological readiness of the team before what they call 'the Final before the Final'.

The South Africans face top French side Olympique Lyonnais in their opening game, a team that arrived in the country only 24 hours before their first game against the newly crowned Vodacom Challenge champions. Coach Dumitru is less bothered about the late arrival of the French side, a ploy he claims could be misleading because of France's similar geography.

"No we are not worried or excited about that, what we have done successfully is to get the boys to focus on our strengths rather than getting worried too much about opposition. With the tactical and mental readiness here, we could enjoy some French fries on the pitch. Passion and commitment again will be key in this crucial game.

“You see because of the humidity here, the ball to us, tends to move a little slower than it does in South Africa and we should enjoy a more focused ball possession and that should be our weapon and strength. We do not fear them but we respect them and that is the only way we will get things right," said a confident Dumitru.

No one should wonder at Dumitru's sense of confidence in Daejeon judging by the sharpness of his players. "You see our preparations were given a boost when we played TP Mazembe in the finals of the Vodacom Challenge in Durban because of their style similar to that of many clubs in Europe. That is the sort of competitiveness one will see in these kind of games," said Dumitru echoing club chairman, Kaizer Motaung's statement on Sunday.

The stage is set in Korea for this showdown and with memories about World Cup 2002 still fresh, the local media want to know more about Jabu Pule and Cyril Nzama, but the latter is unlikely to be ready for the big one due to a niggling knee injury he carries over from the Vodacom Challenge. However, Dumitru's technical staff should have a handsome headache when it comes to the depth of players in the squad.

The Amakhosi deadly combination of strikers David Radebe and Kabamba Musasa is looking very sharp banging goals at the last training session before this encounter, while competition for the position is very tight with young Rene Richards, new-comers Patrick Mayo and Sibusiso Dlamini blowing hot wind with their boots ready for their share of responsibility.

If Pule hits top form, something he can do on any big stage, he could most likely be the darling of the crowds tonight, turning the Daejeon stadium to a festival of football wizardry and brave shots at goals. Bafana Bafana's evergreen soul provider Stanton Fredericks is the one most likely to leave a new mark in the minds of football lovers here and international observers. Red hot Thabo Mooki should dictate the pace and flair with the help of John Shoes Moshoeu, while the baton might fall on Zimbabwean international Tenashe Nengomashe or Bafana Bafana's Jabulane Mendu for stability and grip. Winger Arthur Zwane is looking sharp and these are rewarding options that the technical staff of the mighty Amakhosi would love to live with.

Discipline and much focus will be required more from the in-form Patrick Mabedi who will be marshalling the defense together with Rodney Thobejane, Fabian McCarthy, Isaac Mabotsa, Nhlanhla Kubheka and David Kannemeyer. Any lapse of concentration and focus could be very costly in a game that is likely to be too tactical in approach. Shut the back door is the name of the game here.

Captain Brian Baloyi is made of sterner steel particularly on big occasions like this and after a splendid performance during the Vodacom Challenge, he should be looking forward to lead by example in this do or die match, particularly in the sharpness of reflexes he possesses now. He should be completing the puzzle for solid defense.

The whole of Korea has definitely caught the Peace Cup fever and there are talks of the game attracting a large crowd in the city of Daejeon this evening with the Koreans most likely to rally behind the South Africans, according to the South African ambassador Sydney Kubheka who has been doing all ground work in mobilising the locals and some South Africans to cheer up Amakhosi at the stadium.

Supersport 3 will show the game live on DSTV channel 23 at 12H00 South

African time.

Lights! Roll Camera! Action!!!!

Let the games begin!

Amakhosi 4 Life!!

Putco Mafani


Reporting from Daejeon, South Korea