Kaizer Chiefs v Milford FC
25 February, FNB Stadium, 18h00
s one two
: Yeye, it’s yet er for Amakhosi side. As someone eam that lost to FC in 2011, what that day? ne: If I recall, I d game that day. se it’s a long time rtunities that we me that we played d not use those e dragged on and ger, they got the motivated them. d, they ended up s that they got. as the game went the chances that those days where rap up the game and they gained arted feeling like nd even win the one. facing the lower u play for such a tricky, because me as underdogs ns. They literally eekend, whereas do not really get ch. Also, they are arket themselves. seen, whether it’s are in the same s one tricky part. their games and at your best, but s on the day, and ially because you ople you do not w you more than ack at the history e Naturena-based outfit has had more upsets against lower division teams than rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. Why do you think this is the case?
RL: Maybe a lot of people want to play for Chiefs. That’s why they double their efforts. Or maybe, on the day, Chiefs are not on the level that they should be on as a team. I think it’s one of the two. One, people are motivated and they see a possibility to beat Chiefs or maybe on the day, Chiefs is not at their best to win the game.
TM: Do you think there is a level of complacency when the Soweto giants play lower division teams in this competition?
RL: Look, psychologically you know that you are playing against a team in the lower division. It’s a fact and it cannot be changed. But you still want to win the game because it’s a possibility for silverware for yourself and the club. So, I don’t think there is a player that goes into a game and thinks that they can be complacent and win the game. I don’t think that happens.
TM: What goes on in the mind of a Chiefs player after losing to a lower division team?
RL:
You become very disappointed and it’s upsetting because you know that you let a whole lot of people down. You know that you let yourself down because you did not do enough to represent the brand and the supporters who are behind you throughout. So, you are disappointed in yourself, and you are disappointed as a team because you know that you did not do justice for the club and its supporters.
TM: Do you think the current generation of players will look back at all the upsets the team has encountered in the Nedbank Cup and go all out to ensure that history does not repeat itself?
RL:
They are aware. I am sure when the history of the Nedbank Cup is being told or when the analysis is being done, some of those games appear somewhere there. If not, there are always games that are repeated on TV. There’s always a reminder of those games and moments, so I am definitely sure that they are aware of what’s happened. I assume they want to do better because they want to represent the brand well. Based on what they represent and the fact that they always want to win as footballers, I am sure they would want to win this one.
TM: What attitude do they need to take into a game like this one?
RL:
They should take the same attitude that they would take into a game against the clubs they play against every week. To try to win a football match. They should do the best that they can to win and not underestimate the opponent.
TM: You played for the Glamour Boys during a time when the club was winning trophies. How much pressure do you think is on the current generation to end the drought?
RL:
The pressure is very high. You play football to win trophies. That’s one of the objectives and it becomes even worse when you play for big teams. If you don’t win trophies when you play for a big team, then the pressure mounts and it keeps getting higher. Every game becomes more pressure, especially the cup games because they are sort of the easier way of getting silverware. You play a few games compared to the league. So, the pressure becomes more because you know that in four or five matches, you will be in the final and the possibility of lifting the trophy is there, so it becomes a highpressure situation for the club going into the competition.
TM: How important is it for the team to do well in this particular one as it’s probably the last realistic chance of a trophy this season?
RL:
For you to get to the final, you need to win your games. If they want to have the possibility of playing in the final, they have no choice but to win their games, starting with this first one. It’s important for them to focus on one game at a time. They must first cross this hurdle. Winning the first one gives you a chance of being in the final because you are closer.
TM: Does the experience of Cavin Johnson mean anything? He won two knockout competitions as head coach of Platinum Stars some years ago…
RL:
Definitely, his experience helps. He knows how to win trophies and I am sure that his experience will come into play and assist the team. He will try to influence the performance of the players and maybe that can lead them to getting the results.