Big things ahead for Slingers after ending season on a high
IN HIS New Year’s message this week, Kaizer Motaung – the Kaizer Chiefs boss – did not promise signings in the January transfer window, but has vowed the club will not give up in their pursuit of silverware this season.
Amakhosi have not won a single trophy since May 2015, meaning the arrival of coach Steve Komphela has only brought drought to Naturena.
“It’s been a difficult journey in 2017,” Motaung said in his note on the club’s website.
“We were hoping that with coach Steve Komphela
now in his third season that more positive results would be forthcoming, but that hasn’t happened as yet.
“We have now gone 2.5 years (sic) without winning a trophy and that’s disappointing. But we won’t throw in the towel.
“There are no shortcuts and the margins between the different teams are small, but there is still a lot to play for – the Absa Premiership and the Nedbank Cup.”
Chiefs, currently third on the table, have been extremely criticised for not recruiting the kind of quality players that can bring back the glory days similar to when Amakhosi won two titles in the three years that Stuart Baxter was coach between 2012 and 2015.
In the January transfer window to date, Motaung has only sanctioned the arrival of Leonardo Castro, the Colombian striker whose contract with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns wad due to expire at the end of the campaign, allowing him to join a team of his choice as a free agent.
But Amakhosi have done the deal early, and the only other player reportedly heading to Naturena is midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase, but Chiefs haven’t confirmed that there is an agreement in place with Baroka FC.
“I do believe, however, that we can look forward to a better future and I am confident that we are on the right track.
“This optimism also has to do with the changes we want to implement in the New Year,” Motaung explained.
“It was great to see that a few youngsters have come through from our development structures, including Siyabonga Ngezana, Wiseman Meyiwa, Khotso Malope, Bruce Bvuma and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
“It means that our vision for the youth development structures is right on track.
“We plan to further enhance our youth academy, which is a good investment for the future.”
Motaung admitted that the club will also have to strengthen the side with experienced players seeing that the current old guard might not be up for it for much longer.
The chairman did not, however, discuss the future of his embattled coach
Komphela, who only has six months remaining on his contract.
“An example is the signing of the Colombian Leonardo Castro on the brink of 2018.
“He’s a good acquisition and the striker will make a significant impact on our attacking department, where we haven’t done so well.
“Scoring goals, however, is not only preserved for strikers in modern football,” Motaung said.
Chiefs resume the second half of the
Premier League season on Saturday with a tricky fixture away to SuperSport United at the Mbombela Stadium, a fixture that will set the tone for the final stretch in the championship chase. YOUNG Darren Slingers on 41 individual points was the winner of the final 2017 Saturday IPS. He certainly finished the year on a festive season high. A 75, 73 and 72 gross saw his handicap change from a seven on Christmas eve to a four on New Year’s eve.
“We look forward to his progress in 2018,” KGC said.
Morné Ebersohn was the runner-up on 40 points. Oban Cronjé was third on 39 points, a remarkable 24 of which were made on the count-out holes.
A count-out on 21 points placed Ramon Barlow first and Ivan Coetzee second in the final 2017 Sun Flamingo Niner Friday afternoon. A further count-out on 20 points placed Bernie Turton third, Mietie Aysen fourth and Gavin Oliver fifth.
Successful powerplays at the 15th and the 17th saw LJ Thomane return the top score, 26 points, in the Thursday KWV Powerplay Niner. Machiel Cronjé, also with two powerplays, returned 23 points and the better count-out to finish second.
Daryll Alexander was third on the same score, with a big six at the eighth.
Outside of the prizewinners, Nico Ross picked up two powerplays, while Andries Kori and Ant Crozier recorded one each.
Tshepo Molusi posted a winning 42 points in the Wednesday IPS. Christian Voight (35) and Darian Fortune (34) were second and third. The coming week
Today it is the Darhsa IPS. Tomorrow it is the KWV Niner.
On Friday there is the Sun Flamingo Niner followed by the snowball draw, which, stands at R3 950. On Saturday there will be a Club competition with morning and afternoon times available.
All competitions are open to affiliated visiting golfers.