Posted in News, Team News on Feb 10, 2022.
Kaizer Chiefs begin their 50th campaign in the Nedbank Cup this weekend, looking to renew their affinity with a competition they have won 13 times over the years.
Amakhosi first participated in this competition all the way back in 1971, winning the inaugural competition, and have reached 19 finals in that period.
Chiefs play their round of 32 encounter against TS Galaxy this Saturday at 18h00, with home ground advantage at FNB Stadium against a team who denied Chiefs a 14th title in the 2019 Final.
Defender Njabulo Blom knows it is going to take a huge effort to get past Galaxy and says Amakhosi are looking to put in the hard work to continue their proud history in the competition.
“We are working very hard leading up to this game. The guys are gelling well with the coaches and the technical team and our aim is to get to move beyond Saturday’s game and get into the next round,” Blom told www.kaizerchiefs.com.
A lifelong Chiefs fan, Blom is desperate to be part of a generation that follows in the footsteps of successful past Chiefs teams and bringing silverware to the Club is a huge priority for him.
“Growing up and seeing Chiefs win trophies it was always my ambition to do the same. Surely I am not the only one who grew up supporting Chiefs and wanting to be here and winning trophies with the team. Now that I am here, it is something that I will work on with the guys to make our dreams come true,” says Blom.
Traditionally Chiefs are strong starters and have won 21 of their previous 24 round of 32 clashes since 1996-97 and they will be looking to get into the round of 16 for a 22nd time in 25 participations this weekend.
Khama Billiat believes the team are in the right frame of mind to do well in the Nedbank Cup.
“We have rested well and we have gotten enough time to boost our energy again,” said Billiat of the recent break Chiefs had as a result of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“it’s a new campaign and we need to start strong. We need to make sure that we go through all the way and bring it home.”
Chiefs, who last won the competition under the tutelage of current Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter in 2012-13, will be aiming for a good start against TS Galaxy.
The current Amakhosi squad and technical team certainly know how to navigate their way in this competition and will be looking to use that experience.
Chiefs assistant coach, Arthur Zwane, won the cup as a player in the 2005-06 season when Amakhosi defeated arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final and the technical team will be looking to use all that experience and acumen to help Chiefs launch a successful start in search of a 14th Nedbank Cup title.
