Posted in News on Dec 31, 2014.
Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung looks back on the year that was and looks ahead to the many challenges and opportunities in 2015:
"The year gone by was a bit of a mixed bag. First and foremost, we should have won the Absa Premiership. We did well, but with four games to go we stumbled, drawing twice in games that we should have won. As a result, we finished second on 63 points with league champions Mamelodi Sundowns having 65 points.
It was sad to give away the title right at the end of the season, especially while we were on top of the log for so long.
We started the new season on a high note, which we continued until the end of the year. It is a nice record, not having lost a league encounter after 18 games. Besides this, we have a decent margin between ourselves and our nearest rivals.
Having already won the MTN8 this season, which is something to be very proud about.
On a sad note, we lost various sport stars during the year, including the athletic champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, the boxer Phindile Mwelase and Senzo Meyiwa.
We suffered a loss too with the passing away of our legend Shaka Ngcobo, who was a fantastic striker for Kaizer Chiefs in the seventies.
The biggest loss to the country, however, was Meyiwa's death. Not only because he was the Bafana Bafana captain, he was on top of his game and our national team did very well under coach Shakes Mashaba at the time of his passing.
Bafana Bafana reached the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations without losing a qualifying game. I wish the team all the best for the tournament that will start on January 17. Hopefully, they can reach the final to bring back some interesting and exciting memories of past Bafana Bafana achievements.
Of course, with us having done so well in the league, the long break that presents itself due to the Afcon, will confront us with a challenge. The break can affect our team's momentum. On the other hand, it can also be a positive, as it will give our players an opportunity to recharge the batteries.
After the Afcon is finished, there will be a congesture of fixtures - like last season - including the league, the Nedbank Cup and the African Champions League. This will be a challenge. However, I am sure that we have learnt our lessons from last season.
The break will also give the coach an opportunity to welcome the return of our captain Itumeleng Khune and Katlego Mphela, two top players who are fully fit again after having sustained injuries during the first half of the season. This could mean that, hopefully, our squad will be at full strength when the season continuous.
Come January 7, we will celebrate Kaizer Chiefs' 45th anniversary. The day will bring back all the memories of the past and the great achievements we have reached since our foundation.
Looking back, I want to thank all the founding fathers of this club and all those that played a part in laying the foundation of what we are today as Kaizer Chiefs, and all those that helped to continue growing the brand and the legacy.
I want to wish everybody everything of the best and that all come back in one piece. Please drive safely.
We are all looking forward to another great year.
I also want to wish Bafana Bafana all the best at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Proteas at the Cricket World Cup in February, the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in September and all other national teams. Let's make our Nation proud.