Silence of Cas case verdict frustrates Kaizer
A new chapter commences for Kaizer Chiefs this afternoon and club boss Kaizer Motaung hopes it will herald an era that will deliver that which the club has been deprived of in the past five years — trophies.
The landscape is littered with landmines for coach Gavin Hunt ahead of the MTN8 quarterfinal clash against Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium this afternoon.
For starters, United have proved to be a thorn in the flesh of Chiefs. They booted Amakhosi out of the now defunct Telkom Knockout last four in the season past. In the league, the Teamof Choice beatChiefs at Nasrec and held them to a draw in Durban.
Securing Hunt’s services swells Motaung’s chest with hope. “He is one of the most decorated coaches in the country. He is a good acquisition for us. We needed somebody of his calibre for some time now,” said Motaung.
Bumpy journey ahead
“Obviously we’ve come through a very disappointing end of season. Leading from the second week of the season until the last 30 minutes of the last day of the season. It is the most painful thing you can suffer.
“But having Gavin gives us more courage to continue the journey.”
Bumpy the journey will prove for Hunt to negotiate in his bid to breathe life back into Chiefs and inject a new energy to return them to glory days.
“He comes at a time when things are not normal in the sense that we have this Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) thing outstanding.”
Chiefs have appealed to Cas against a Fifa transfer ban which precludes them from signing players for two transfer windows.
“We don’t know what will be the outcome. He has got a lean squad for now. Obviously that is not going to be the norm as we go forward. Of course we are all praying for this Cas thing to go in our favour so that we’ll be able to fortify our weak positions. We last heard from them four weeks since the case sat. It is very frustrating.
“We are confident about our case, but obviously a decision can depend on other things that you have no control over,” said Motaung.
Hunt’s first game in gold and black has other challenges in that five players will not be available for selection today. Mulomowandau Mathoho has a thigh strain. [Lebogang] Manyama and [Willard] Katsande are suspended. The two strikers are also injured. [Samir] Nurkovic has just undergone an operation. [Leonardo] Castro is injured.
Hamstrung as they are, Hunt has no choice but to navigate the first steps of his new journey with what he has at his disposal.
“Wewent through the last season almost winning the league with this squad. It may be okay, but the season is going to be very tight because of the Caf situation [finishing second secured Chiefs a place in the Caf Champions League]. And as much as Telkom [Knockout] is no longer going to be there, we will play PSL in midweek and Caf at the weekend,” said Motaung.
“It is going to be very strenuous. Travelling in Africa is going to be another challenge. Those are some of the challenges. But this is football. We have to carry on.”