COULDN’T BE TOUGHER
Sibongiseni Gumbi
It has not been third time lucky so far for new Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas who is in the country for his third spell – he previously had two indifferent stints at Free State Stars.
When he was finally handed one of the country’s most difficult jobs, he didn’t have much time to work on the Amakhosi team and get them to grasp his philosophy as he had just over two weeks to work with the players before the start of the Absa Premiership campaign. He has also had to wait for his work permit to be granted.
Added to that, his team were dealt a blow when they discovered they had to play defending champions and long-time nemesis Mamelodi Sundowns away in their first match of the season. The match is set for Loftus Versfeld tomorrow afternoon.
“It will be a tough game,” said the Italian when he spoke for the first time since his appointment. “But we are ready,” he added. Amakhosi fans will be happy, however, to know Solinas is aware of the high expectations.
“In football you need time because you can’t change too much overnight. I am busy implementing my philosophy which is attacking football. That takes time. We need to be patient. But I am extremely happy with the attitude, the commitment and fo- cus at training. We are working hard to improve the tactics, fitness and psychological approach,” he said.
The 50-year-old mentor will man the Amakhosi dugout for the first time tomorrow afternoon having sat in the stands for the team’s pre-season friendlies as he awaited his work permit. It will not be an easy outing against Pitso Mosimane’s marauding side who have had two competitive games while Amakhosi were in pre-season camp. Masandawana have been playing in the Caf Champions League throughout the off-season.
“Playing against reigning champions is never easy. Sundowns started their season early because of their Champions League games. They are favourites against us this season and they have a fantastic coach who leads the team in special ways. I would have preferred to have played them next month. But it is how it is,” he said.
Cape Town City defender Taariq Fielies lunged at Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat and caught him on the knees with a vicious tackle that forced to substitute the player. Billiat was sent through on goal after Teko Modise lost the ball when he tried to go past him in a pre-season friendly at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit last Saturday. There was nothing that much at stake to warrant such a career-threatening tackle. His coach Benni McCarthy apologised on his behalf to his Chiefs counterpart Giovanni Solinas after the match.
“We are happy that (Percy) Tau has secured a move. As the football association we are happy. I know clubs from England and Spain were bidding for him and he chose to go to England. I have my own views on where he should have gone, but I will keep that to myself. He is a gifted player. We wish him all the best. We believe he will grow. Teams overseas are known for contributing to a player’s growth.” – Safa president Danny Jordaan