Relief as Paez nets first goal

A FIRST goal for Gustavo Paez at the weekend is a relief to both the player and the Kaizer Chiefs coach‚ said Steve Komphela after the new Venezuelan signing finally got his name on the score sheet.

A cleverly taken strike late against Stellenbosch FC in Saturday’s Nedbank Cup first round tie away at the Athlone Stadium marked Paez’s first goal in his sixth appearance for the club.

“It is a relief to everybody‚ also me as the coach‚” Komphela.

“The administration of the club could have started to question what did I buy.

“Even if you can see all the qualities that you need as a striker – tactical‚ mental whatever – if he doesn’t score‚ people start doubting.

“So this goal gave an indication this guy can score.

“If you look at the goal itself‚ a classic goal from a striker.

“The movement‚ the touch‚ the finishing … you can’t ask for more. Top class.” that

The 26-year-old Paez‚ who signed from Estudiantes Merida in the January transfer window‚ started only his second game for Chiefs but had also made four substitute appearances.

“Whether you like human beings.

“We’ve got senses. He could hear them [the spectators] saying ‘when is he going to get his first goal?’ He could feel it.

“And in the matches you could see how desperate he was. But we also have to help his cause by playing to his strengths. The goal that he scored was one that played to his strength.

“There were a couple of times in the first half where Shaba [Siphiwe Tshabalala] had been looking for him but couldn’t find him exactly.

“But you could see that he says ‘I’m a runner‚ put it on my stride’. I’m sure we will utilise that better in the future‚” the coach added.

Chiefs return to the league battle away against Baroka FC on Saturday. — TMG it or not‚ we are