Doctor ready for Chiefs
Yes, I plan to beat Amakhosi, he says
For the first time in his glamorous career, Doctor Khumalo will be at the opposing end of Kaizer Chiefs this weekend when they host Baroka.
Plotting Amakhosi’s downfall is unchartered territory for Khumalo, a midfield maestro in his heyday made famous by his performances for the club.
“It’s a strange feeling,” Khumalo said about coming up against the club for whom he played a record 397 times.
He has also coached the team on more than one occasion that has generally contributed to the legendary status he enjoys today. Khumalo served as both assistant and caretaker coach at Chiefs.
Now he finds himself, as Baroka technical director, having to mastermind another setback for Steve Komphela when Bakgaga visit Chiefs on Saturday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium (6pm).
“The truth is I realised I had to leave Chiefs to grow and learn,” he said. “I knew I would have to be on the other side against them.
“But they understand I work elsewhere now, so sure, my aim is to help Baroka win.”
It would be hyperbole to attribute Baroka’s surprise good start to the season – after surviving relegation only through playoffs – directly to Khumalo’s presence at the club.
But it is noticeable that they have had a solid record since and, even more puzzlingly, are one of two unbeaten teams in the Absa Premiership, separated by a single goal from table-topping Golden Arrows.
“We’ve worked well with the technical team so far,” said Khumalo.
“There’s a fresh understanding and my role is to bring in new ideas and approach. Everyone now understands the modern way of doing things.”
On Baroka’s good early season form, he said: “There’s nothing to celebrate yet. We are just showing that we have some potential. Lessons have been learnt from last season.”
Bakgaga have won both their away games – against Chippa and Bloemfontein Celtic – and Khumalo believes this new-found courage to get results when least expected can help the team.
“This season has already produced many shocks, we saw Maritzburg beating Sundowns away, Arrows went to Wits and beat them, so we too can go to Chiefs and win.”