Sithebe: We had one common goal

This week we hear from Siyethemba Sithebe – AmaZulu FC midfielder

I think we worked very hard to keep ourselves away from relegation this season. We were in danger and we managed to escape because we were determined to get out of that danger. We knew that it was never going to be easy, especially when we were in the bio-bubble because the match fitness levels were not on par, which is why we started slow and, as games went on, we then started gaining some momentum. Remember, we were fighting hard before the lockdown break came and in our last game we beat Kaizer Chiefs, who were winning games and sitting comfortably at the top of the standings at the time, but coming back after four months, that momentum was just not there. We lacked match fitness, but we kept pushing ourselves because we knew that if we did not work as hard, we would get relegated. I am happy we managed to survive.

On what worked for the team

I think sitting down and having serious talks among ourselves really helped us because that made everyone in the team see the danger that we were in. No one wants to be relegated – you can ask anyone in the league, they will tell you the same thing. I think the meetings that we had kept reminding us of the importance of playing every game as if it was our last game to make sure that we survived relegation. Even though it was not easy, but working together as a team made it easy because we were fighting for one another and we had one common goal as a team, which was to win our games and survive. That is how we survived.

On having to look at other results

Even though we were working hard and concentrating on doing it for ourselves, it was only natural that we would look at the results of the other teams who were also involved in the relegation battle and sometimes even though everyone would be thinking that for themselves, we would wish that certain results go a certain way. I think it is the nature of that situation… not that we were wishing other teams bad or anything of that sort. When you are there, you do all you can to survive, and in the last games of the season, everyone, everywhere is fighting for something. At the bottom, it’s the fight for survival, in the middle it’s the fight for the Top Eight positions and at the top it’s the fight for honours.

On their season as a whole

I think one of the things that nearly did damage to our season in this campaign was that we had changes in the coaching department and everyone knows that each and every coach that comes in comes with his own style of play. As players, we have to adapt to the new coach’s style of play and his way of doing things, and all that takes time. That is why I am hoping that going into the new season, which will start in mid-October, we can have a coach that will be with us for some time so that we don’t have to adapt all the time because while trying to adapt, teams are collecting points and games are coming in thick and fast. By the time we wake up, we are left with 10 games and we have to fight to survive again, which is not a good thing. At some point this past season, we had coach Jozef Vukusic and he had his situation with the club as we started getting used to him. That is why I am hoping that we will be stable next season in the coaching department. We are yet to start planning for the new season as we have been given a week off after the last game of the season. We will know when we get back what the plan is for the upcoming season, but hopefully we will be ready to go and fight for the club.

On working with Dlamini and Josephs

Working with both coach Ayanda Dlamini and Moeneeb Josephs has been great. There is a lot of understanding between them and us and

I don’t know whether it is because they played for the club or not, but they have a good working relationship with the players and it is one of the reasons we survived the relegation threat this season. They work very hard at training and I am happy that their hard work translated to the field for us to be able to survive this season. We are looking forward to working with them again next season.

On Ntuli’s importance to Usuthu

It was very important to have a consistent goalscorer like Bongi Ntuli in the team. You know, teams were planning against him and marking him tightly, but through his bravery and his quality, he would find a way to score for the team. His presence also created space for us as his teammates because sometimes players would be focusing too much on him. At one stage of the season, he was our only goalscorer and it never discouraged him – he kept going. I just hope that he doesn’t get injuries next season because we need him sharp all the time.

the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. Chiefs aren’t transparent enough to build trust with its loyal supporters. We lost faith in Chiefs because we felt neglected and our voices were not heard. How could you recruit players and a coach with no experience of winning a single trophy? A club of Chiefs’ stature is supposed to recruit someone with a huge reputation to preserve that sense of hope. We’re supposed to sign players of national team pedigree or go to our roots of development (our MDC players). The club blueprint has to be restored first before we talk about reclaiming the glory.

Wandile Mtana, eTinarha

I understand why Kaizer Chiefs supporters are so hurt and disappointed. The only thing I don’t understand is the strategy used by Chiefs’ management. They enjoy spending less and believe it’s a huge achievement. They don’t buy expensive players and enjoy packed stadiums, without thinking about how they hurt those who pack stadia to watch their ‘comedy’. I feel sorry for coach Ernst Middendorp who fought hard without proper equipment. Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are playing good football because they possess quality players. Middendorp ended up playing parachute football because of what was at his disposal. Congratulations to the president, management, technical team, players and supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns. To Chiefs, I assure them that the trophy is in good hands now. Thanks for breaking the record of leading the whole season, only to lose the title in the final 30 minutes. It seems you never learned from what happened to Pirates last season. Masandawana, sisonke, keep walking.

Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

I will say it now and again: Kaizer Chiefs do not have quality players.

When the window opens, teams like Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits all sign four, five and six quality players at a go. Chiefs are always dragging their feet when they have to sign players, until all good players are taken. As long as they don’t want to sign quality and hardworking players, they will always lose trophies like they did on the weekend. It is now the second time they lose the league to Sundowns with two points, having led with about 10 points. Our players don’t have a fighting spirit. They should have managed the game well, like in the first half. They started to defend very early in the second half and conceded the goal that robbed them of the title. Gavin Hunt is available, but because we don’t want to use money, other teams will sign him and then beat us. Sign young and quality players, then things will be different.

Simon Mahlangu, via email

It’s really sad indeed for a big team like Kaizer Chiefs to play like they did on Saturday. Players are earning huge salaries, but doing nothing. Now it’s time for our scout to get us quality players and who will understand the meaning of that jersey too.

Danny Moreo, Moruleng, Segakwana Village

Vindicated. I have written to Soccer Laduma so many times regarding the trophyless seasons being experienced by Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. I mentioned that they have done injustice by letting Moroka Swallows get relegated in 2014/15. I urged them to call their supporters to Orlando Stadium to apologise to Swallows’ ancestors and go to Doornkop cemetery to appease them. I said until they do that, they won’t win any trophy in the foreseeable future. Now that Swallows FC is back, I would like to appeal to the soccer gods to go easy on Chiefs and Pirates. Let them win some trophies.

Thabang Lehoko, Johannesburg

I’m a Khosi 4 Life. It brings tears to my eyes what transpired during the 2019/20 season. Anyway, Shaun Bartlett did say you can’t expect Kaizer Chiefs to win the league coming from the season we had in 2018/2019. Which position did Leicester City occupy the season before they won the EPL?

Mike, Harrismith, Schoonplaatz

Dear Kaizer Chiefs players, As a die-hard Khosi fan, I’m writing this letter to you with a bleeding heart. We spent 28 matches on top and at one point we opened a 13-point gap! How on earth could you do this to us? I could write the words over and over again, but I realise it changes nothing. I could scream it at the top of my lungs and shed tears, but no one will pay me any mind, simply because “it’s family business”. Yes, Ernst Middendorp’s tactics were very wrong. He kept on prioritising certain games. The chopping and changing of players was detrimental, but as players, you should have done better. I blame you for all the recent deficiencies. Just look in the mirror and see if you qualify to play for Amakhosi. When our noisy neighbours were criticising you about holding an umbrella for them, I relentlessly defended you, But now I’m left feeling empty and cheated. I cannot tolerate the embarrassment of being humiliated like that. Do you know what the strangest and most unbelievably frustrating part of it is? You earn so much money and you play like that. I rest my case.

“Bhotsotso” Mkhize, Eshowe, eMpaphala

So, the following needs to happen at Kaizer Chiefs for next season: Retain Shaun Bartlett, add Dan Malesela as the second assistant coach and hire Tinkler as head coach. Sign two centre-backs and a left back.

Joe Rathokolo, Ebony Park

I had thought that Kaizer Chiefs would have seen from their game against Mamelodi Sundowns that you can defend a 1-0 lead from the first half until the last minute of the game. Desperate times call for desperate measures. One would have thought Kaizer Chiefs’ technical team and players would put their lives on the line for the league title, especially in the last 45 minutes of the last game of the season, but alas, not our “Mighty” Amakhosi. It was given that Baroka FC would fight with everything that they have, because they were not safe either. I just feel so embarrassed to call myself a Chiefs supporter right now. I honestly don’t know whether we must blame the coach or the players, but I indicated previously on Make Your Point that Ernst Middendorp has never won the league here. This was his chance, but it got blown away. With or without Middendorp, I don’t see us winning anything anytime soon, what with us not knowing whether the verdict from Chiefs/Dax case on Wednesday will be favourable to us or not. Just waiting to see what the outcome will be.

Mompati “Panyaza” Ndlovu, Lekubu Village, Zeerust

Various reasons such as George Maluleka’s departure and Bobby Motaung, among others, will be advanced by Kaizer Chiefs fans in regard to the team surrendering their lead to Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the log on the final day. As far as Maluleka is concerned, I fully support management’s decision on this one. I will not elaborate due to space constraints, suffice to say that the very same player was in the team that failed dismally post the Stuart Baxter era. In regard to Bobby, all I can say is spare the poor fellow some bashing. The guy doesn’t sign any chequebook. He is a mere employee of the team. If anything, COVID-19 grossly exposed Chiefs’ dire lack of depth. Leonardo Castro’s withdrawal from the bio-bubble was worth three points. The less said about Ernst Middendorp’s stubborn persistence to ignore ball players, the better. He fell on his own sword and I do not empathise with him. It’s back to the drawing board for the team. IKhosi alipheli moya.

George Sithole, Honeydew

Now that the season is over, it is time for Bobby Motaung to do some introspection and realise that when he hires a new coach, he must buy him the players he needs and not what “he” likes. He must give him total control so that he can implement his ideas and philosophy. We know it’s a “family business”, but his interference in the technical team is affecting this brand. He must do the honourable thing and sit down with the coach, discuss players he needs and buy them for him. And this contract agreement of players playing certain amount of games is costing us. Bona Bernard Parker ore jesa yang. No, guys, we can’t suffer for so long because of one person who can’t do his job right. Bobby’s arrogance and ignorance will cost us big time.

Thabiso “Thabnana” Molebatsi, Damonsville, Brits JURY OUT ON MIDDENDORP

I once said that the power is lost for the beloved Ernst Middendorp. It has been long, long overdue for him to attest to this statement’s authenticity. Itumeleng Khune was reprimanded in the office by the Kaizer Chiefs management to give the mediocre Daniel Akpeyi enough time to deteriorate in performance with no tough competition. When it was clear that Bruce Bvuma’s hands are slippery, the verdict was compromised at his expense to benefit them. Chiefs have to blame themselves for not planning proactively beforehand. During the game against Baroka FC many blindfolded Chiefs fans blamed Khune for the set-piece, but truth is the coach should have done far better. I must say the coach has proved to the whole world how technically bankrupt he is. It’s a disgrace

Mluleki Daniso, kwaNondabula

Ernst Middendorp can’t be shouldering the blame alone. Our management have been promising to bring us quality players that are of Kaizer

Chiefs calibre since Sir Stuart Baxter vacated his post some five or six seasons ago. Why was ‘Mido’ (George Maluleka) let go while he was a core player in our squad? The coach made it clear that he wanted him to finish the season and there were no signs that his mind was not with us. Ernst Middendorp’s favouritism, lack of vision, direct aerial football with no Plan B and letting players such as Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Kearyn Baccus rot on the bench cost Chiefs the league. I mean, the former knows how to win titles in such situations. The less said about Kgotso Moleko, the better. Our players lacked passion, hunger, dedication and we didn’t have that one player that can take the game by the scruff of the neck. Joseph Molangoane was let go and Lebogang Manyama was not his usual best after the lockdown break. In your first stint with us, Mr Middendorp, you dumped us out of the Top Eight. When you came back, Sir, you did the same thing and, even worse, we were beaten by a second-tier side in the Nedbank Cup final under your leadership. As if that was not enough, you gave us false hope by leading the league for almost four hundred years and let it go at the very last moment. Please close the door behind you, on your way out! I’m hoping that our management will do deep introspection and finally do the right things.

Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft

I never believed in Ernst Middendorp. He is a failure. May the Coronavirus play its part.

Sihle Hlela, Pietermaritzburg

I’m taken aback by the people who are saying Ernst Middendorp turned Kaizer Chiefs from finishing ninth on the log standings to title contenders. The very sane Middendorp is the one who put us in position nine after being seventh for three months under his mentorship. Even during his first spell, he turned the team around from being back-to-back champions to being number nine! We must consider ourselves lucky this time around that he didn’t put us in that same position, for number nine seems to be his lucky number. I had hoped Doctor Khumalo and Ace Khuse would be brought in to finish off the last two games. I did hang on to hope though, but the coach must go. To the players, you couldn’t do it. We tired of getting messages non-stop from haters every time you choke. We can’t afford to keep our phones off every time you play.

Langa Mngqibisa, Vosloorus THAT’S IT, FOLKS

By the release of issue 1190 of Soccer Laduma, the curtain would have been drawn on the 2019/20 season. A few teams made their mark in what was a very difficult season in the history of world football and the Absa Premiership, what with COVID-19 having reared its ugly head. Congratulations for SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns for winning the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout respectively. Dube Birds, welcome back! As for the league photo finish, it was a marvel to watch. Well done to all the teams, officials and supporters of the beautiful game. In the midst of all the heartache and tears, football became the winner.

Kagiso Jafta, Wonderkop, Marikana, North West

The Absa Premiership is so interesting. Those who said it will end in tears were quite right!

Elias Kgadi, via email

It was an exciting finish to our PSL, which guaranteed either tears of joy or sadness. All the teams had something to play for – e.g. Top Three, Top Eight and avoiding the dreaded chop. Congrats to Ka Bo Yellow for painfully overtaking my Naturena Train with 50 metres to the finishing line. Baroka FC ensured their survival, but also broke the hearts of thousands of Chiefs supporters. Lastly, I salute Lt Col Steve Barker’s Stellies for such a marvellous performance in their maiden season. I knew him while he was still coaching the SANDF team