Relief, but no respite for Chiefs’ Solinas
Giovanni Solinas was clearly relieved at his first win at Kaizer Chiefs against Free State Stars at the weekend‚ but the Italian also knows his situation remains tough after a shortened preseason and little time in between matches to implement his style.
Chiefs bounced back with a markedly improved 3-0 MTN8 quarterfinal victory against Stars at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday night‚ but were left counting the cost of Joseph Molangoane’s broken leg.
Molangoane and Dumisani Zuma had injected much-needed mobility on the wings coming in for 30-somethings Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala and Molangoane is certain to be missed when Chiefs return to league action against Baroka at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night.
For Solinas‚ a place in a cup semifinal – and a crucial first win – came as a relief amid early scepticism over his appointment among the Amakhosi faithful.
But the 50-year-old coach knows he has walked into a tough situation at a Soweto giants hungry for silverware after three trophyless seasons.
Add to that his late arrival in the preseason‚ where he had just three weeks to try to stamp his identity on Chiefs‚ and that the games are coming thick and fast.
This leaves little time to continue that work in training sessions‚ and Solinas has his work cut out.
“We need our tactical reading to improve‚ because we need to protect the movements into the big space‚” Solinas said‚ identifying aspects he still sees lacking after a solid win against Stars.
“When we don’t press the second option is ready to drop. Today the guys recognise this tactical situation‚ and it needs to improve.
“It’s a pity we don’t have time for training sessions. Because in my opinion that’s what the team needs now.
“Because the training sessions are the instrument for improving the players.
“But‚ you know‚ in two days we play‚ one day we travel.
“There is no time for recovery and not time for training sessions.
“So‚ I am sure that when we have the time‚ and we have a normal week‚ and we play two games a week apart‚ we will improve.
“Because the guys in the training sessions put in the effort‚ the commitment and the concentration. So this makes me happy‚ and makes me confident for the future.”
It is not an easy situation for Solinas. Clearly, he needs time.
Saturday’s performance‚ though‚ indicated the coach has some potential.
Increasingly‚ from Chiefs’ promising 1-1 opening league away draw against Mamelodi Sundowns‚ through the defeat against Wits‚ to beating Stars‚ a game plan emerges that holds some promise.
The defence looked increasingly organised.
Siphelele Ntshangase’s reintroduction from the cold, and the influential role played by the deep-lying playmaker, and Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro’s reunited Sundowns partnership upfront have all started to look quite good.
Two of Chiefs’ goals against Stars‚ Zuma’s 19th-minute opener and Billiat’s third deep in injury time‚ came from superb passing movements.
In the coming week, Chiefs return to league action against Baroka FC on Tuesday night‚ then face Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.
Itumeleng Khune will travel to Limpopo with his teammates to face Baroka FC after returning from leave.
Khune sat out Saturday night’s MTN8 quarterfinal, and according to the club’s corporate communications manager Vina Maphosa‚ the goalkeeper was on leave.
Maposa said Khune would be available for selection as Chiefs go in search of their first league win of the new season. –