Posted in News, Team News on Aug 14, 2018.
“There’s little time between games to recover,” adds Solinas, while pointing out that Chiefs and the other Premiership teams have to play a game every three to four days early into the season. “When you have a congested fixture list, you don’t get a chance to conduct many training sessions to work on, for example, tactics, because the focus is more on the recovery of the players, managing fatigue and fitness.”
Baroka have previously been a bit of a hoodoo side, although Amakhosi have recently been able to turn the table, winning the last two meetings in league and cup competitions.
“I have the necessary information to plan against Baroka,” comments Solinas. “I’ve watched their two league games - they press the opponents high on the pitch and they are organised defensively.”
Joseph Molangoane and Virgil Vries have joined George Maluleka and Teenage Hadebe on the sidelines due to an assortment of injuries.
“We have three goalkeepers in camp,” Solinas confirms. Itumeleng Khune has returned from leave to attend to a private matter, while Brylon Petersen and Bruce Bvuma have also travelled to Polokwane. “We will mull about the selection of the goalkeeper, but it’s good to see that Khune is back in camp and available for selection."
About Molangoane’s injury, the coach comments: “His injury is a major blow to our planning. We will fully support Molangoane on his road to recover. His injury is a major blow to our planning, but we have capable players to cover that role.”