Posted in News, Team News on Jun 27, 2018.
Kaizer Chiefs’ first team squad returned to training on Monday. We spoke to two players, who enjoyed the off-season break, even though their experiences were completely different. Leonardo Castro spent his time mostly in his country Colombia, although he also went to see family in New Jersey in the US. Teenage Hadebe was in his home town of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, while making a short stop at a game park at the Victoria Falls.
“I enjoyed my holiday,” Leonardo Castro reflects. “Now it’s time for pre-season. Having a good pre-season is half the work done.” The Colombian striker went to his home town of Bogotá, just to relax and be with his family. He enjoyed lunch a few times with the extended family of both his wife and himself. “We would be with a group of about 15 people. It was great to see everybody and catch up.”
Castro also went with his wife and two kids to see his sister-in-law in the American city of New Jersey. “We didn’t do anything in particular,” he comments, “We didn’t even visit New York, which is close by. We were just relaxing and spending time with the family, which is important.”
During his stay in Bogotá, the striker also took care to keep fit, usually by playing indoor soccer with some friends. “We played 5-a-side games,” Castro points out. Of course, he followed closely the performances of Colombia at the World Cup in Russia, feeling that the midfielder Quintero has so far been the most impressive performer for his country. Colombia face Senegal in the last round of the group stage and it will be a do-or-die for both countries. “We will go through,” he predicts.
Castro’s teammate Teenage Hadebe has a different perspective on the outcome of Thursday’s crucial encounter between Colombia and Senegal. “For sure, Senegal will go through to the Round of 16,” the Zimbabwean defender says with a big smile on his face. “They have been playing well. To see them beat Poland in the first round was awesome.”
“I just chilled with my family in Bulawayo,” Hadebe reflects on the off-season. The lanky defender worked out in the gym to strengthen his ankle, which gave him some problems towards the end of last season. He explains that this was important, because “I want to stay fit next year.”
Hadebe was selected for the Zimbabwean national team for the 2018 Cosafa Cup. He had to withdraw due to his injury, but followed the games on TV. “I was happy we won the trophy. We did great and deserved to win.” He moreover watched a few games of the local sides Highlanders and Chicken Inn in Bulawayo. “Of course, I had to see my former teams in action.”
The Zimbabwean furthermore found time for a short two-night visit with his wife and son to a game park close to Victoria Falls. He even tried a zipline, sliding down while hanging on a cable. “That was an unforgettable experience,” he says.
Castro and Hadebe have both returned fully re-energised to Chiefs Village and are now working hard to get ready for the new season.
“I enjoyed my holiday,” Leonardo Castro reflects. “Now it’s time for pre-season. Having a good pre-season is half the work done.” The Colombian striker went to his home town of Bogotá, just to relax and be with his family. He enjoyed lunch a few times with the extended family of both his wife and himself. “We would be with a group of about 15 people. It was great to see everybody and catch up.”
Castro also went with his wife and two kids to see his sister-in-law in the American city of New Jersey. “We didn’t do anything in particular,” he comments, “We didn’t even visit New York, which is close by. We were just relaxing and spending time with the family, which is important.”
During his stay in Bogotá, the striker also took care to keep fit, usually by playing indoor soccer with some friends. “We played 5-a-side games,” Castro points out. Of course, he followed closely the performances of Colombia at the World Cup in Russia, feeling that the midfielder Quintero has so far been the most impressive performer for his country. Colombia face Senegal in the last round of the group stage and it will be a do-or-die for both countries. “We will go through,” he predicts.
Castro’s teammate Teenage Hadebe has a different perspective on the outcome of Thursday’s crucial encounter between Colombia and Senegal. “For sure, Senegal will go through to the Round of 16,” the Zimbabwean defender says with a big smile on his face. “They have been playing well. To see them beat Poland in the first round was awesome.”
“I just chilled with my family in Bulawayo,” Hadebe reflects on the off-season. The lanky defender worked out in the gym to strengthen his ankle, which gave him some problems towards the end of last season. He explains that this was important, because “I want to stay fit next year.”
Hadebe was selected for the Zimbabwean national team for the 2018 Cosafa Cup. He had to withdraw due to his injury, but followed the games on TV. “I was happy we won the trophy. We did great and deserved to win.” He moreover watched a few games of the local sides Highlanders and Chicken Inn in Bulawayo. “Of course, I had to see my former teams in action.”
The Zimbabwean furthermore found time for a short two-night visit with his wife and son to a game park close to Victoria Falls. He even tried a zipline, sliding down while hanging on a cable. “That was an unforgettable experience,” he says.
Castro and Hadebe have both returned fully re-energised to Chiefs Village and are now working hard to get ready for the new season.
