Moon believes Chiefs still have a chance to shine

KAIZER CHIEFS’ forward Ryan Moon argues that belief in themselves will give their Premiership challenge that’s in ICU due to their timid attack a much-needed kiss of life.

Amakhosi sit in a depressing fifth place, seven points behind log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who have played one game less than them.

The Soweto giants dropped seven potential points in their last three games by playing to goalless draws with AmaZulu and Bloemfontein Celtic, and being beaten by Orlando Pirates.

Chiefs’ performance against Usuthu and Phunya Sele Sele dealt their title challenge a huge blow and also exposed their frailties upfront, lacking the aggression a team fighting for the championship needs – especially against struggling sides. But Moon refuses to throw in the towel.

“The belief that we can win the league will always be there,” Moon said. “Football is a crazy sport. Anything can happen. We just have to run our own race and continue working hard to be where we want to be. We shouldn’t look at what Pirates and Sundowns are doing. We have to focus on us.”

Moon continued, “It’s difficult though because Chiefs is a team that always wants to win trophies.

“The fans expect it. The coach expects it. Everyone associated with the club expects trophies. It’s not easy for us. We are aware we have to win something this season.

“There is the Nedbank Cup and the league race isn’t over just yet. It’s important that we believe in ourselves first, believe in our coach and the team we have. If we don’t believe in ourselves, how can the fans believe in us?”

The 21- year- old lad from Pietermaritzburg is currently with Bafana Bafana in Zambia taking part in the Four Nations. Moon is likely to feature in the team that will take on the hosts at 6pm tonight at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in the final of the Four Nations, right after Angola and Zimbabwe have fought for the third place at 3pm.

Bafana coach Stuart Baxter promised to field a different starting XI of his experimental side with the aim of building a strong team for the future. Moon, who scored four goals in five matches earlier this month, comes into this tournament without a goal in his last three matches.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself. I think that as soon you put pressure on yourself, you’ll start not to play your normal game.

“I know what I expect from myself. I know what I am capable of doing. I just have to go out there, take it one game at a time and do my best. I am not concerned that I haven’t scored lately.

“Obviously I want to score more goals but I just have to take it one game at a time. The goals will come. I can’t put unnecessary pressure on myself. I need to start scoring. I am aware of that.”

The best part about being in this Bafana camp for Moon is rubbing shoulders with the European based contingent that features Kamohelo Mokotjo who plays in England and the France-based trio of Keagan Dolly, Lebo Mothiba and Bongani Zungu.

“I aspire to be at their level and hopefully also do more than what they have done,” Moon said. “As youngsters we must always aspire to be the best that we can be.

“I just have to continue working hard. The next step is to go overseas but first things first, I have to cement my place at Chiefs – work hard here and achieve as much as I can before I go.”