CHIEFS JUST WANT TO WIN EVERYTHING – KOMPHELA
Nedbank Cup, league race equally important
KAIZER Chiefs cannot put a priority on one of either the league title race or seeking Nedbank Cup success‚ says coach Steve Komphela. As the business end of the season begins to come into focus, both matter equally‚ insisted Komphela after Chiefs beat Stellenbosch FC 3-0 away on Saturday night to book their place in the second round of the cup.
“At the risk of sounding like a stuck record‚ at Chiefs the mission is to just win everything‚” he said.
“There can never be a priority between the Nedbank Cup or the Premiership. But the beauty of it is that our schedule is not as tight as that of some of our competitors because they have a lot of African safaris to do.
“For us‚ we have [just] two targets that we need to focus on. [The] Nedbank [Cup] and the Premiership. Maybe we will be in a position to plan‚” he said.
“The team that we put up here against Stellenbosch and the six changes we made gave an indication of our readiness.
“You did not feel a lack of rhythm because of the changes‚ even though there were one or two things we could have done better.
“I strongly believe with 10 matches remaining in the league there is still a lot of dust that is going to gather. As far as the Nedbank is concerned‚ we’ll wait to see what the draw delivers.
“It is possible and obviously the other teams have got [upcoming] schedules that will tax them. But we need to win our remaining matches. Can we win 10 in a row?
“I have to be careful what I say in case the headlines tomorrow say ‘Chiefs coach says he will win 10 in a row’. But I do hope that will be the case.”
Meanwhile, KwaDukuza United beat Ajax Cape Town 4-3 on penalties at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Saturday afternoon, to subsequently book their place in the next round of the Nedbank Cup.
With the game deadlocked at 2-2 after 120 minutes of football, the KwaZulu-Natal ABC Motsepe team emerged victorious from 12 yards as they tabled the first shock result of the tournament.
The Urban Warriors looked ready to cruise to victory as they opened the scoring after only 30 seconds. Multi-Choice Diski Challenge star Neo Makua rattled the back of the net with some fans still making their way to their seats.
But, the “Black Jaguars” were not to be outdone as they levelled matters in the 10th minute through Lizu Mthabela.
The Urban Warriors restored their lead in the 67th minute through Prince Nxumalo.
KwaDukuza United, though, showed their mettle once more as they found the back of the net four minutes later to send the home crowd into delirium.
With the game in extra time opportunities came aplenty, but had to be decided eventually from the penalty spot. KwaDukuza United duly completed the giant killing.
Stanley Menzo’s troops crashed out of the Nedbank Cup at the Round of 32 for the second year in succession, and now turn their attention back to an Absa Premiership relegation fight.