Win was a great fillip
MANYAMA WE HAD TO MAKE SURE WE GAVE THE SUPPORTERS A GREAT SHOW
It may have been a friendly match, but Lebogang Manyama believes the Macufe Cup win was what Kaizer Chiefs needed after stalling in their last two Absa Premiership matches. Amakhosi – who looked like a well-oiled machine last month with a 100% win record in the league – drew against Highlands Park and lost to Polokwane City in their first two matches in October.
Winning the Macufe Cup will give Giovanni Solinas’ side the boost they need ahead of their Telkom Knockout last-16 fixture, where they host Black Leopards at FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“We obviously didn’t do well in the past two games,” admitted Manyama in a post-match interview. “We tried to win those games but you have to move on. We’re trying to get better every week,” he added.
Manyama scored the first goal in the first half and Dumisani Zuma sealed the win just as Bloemfontein Celtic looked on course for the equaliser.
“The coach told us during the week that when you play for Chiefs there are no friendly games, especially with the crowd. You can see everyone was here to see us … we had to make sure we gave them a show,” said the 28-year-old attacker.
Despite not having at least four of their regular players on the day, Amakhosi gave a good performance and the players who were given a chance raised their hands. It will be comforting for the side to see that even if Itumeleng Khune and Virgil Vries are unavailable Bruce Bvuma is capable of doing a good job.
There was also this perception that the Glamour Boys rely mainly on Khama Billiat and Siphelele Ntshangase and are not as fluid when they are not there, but Sunday’s effort should dispel that as the likes of Kabelo Mahlasela, George Maluleka and Manyama can also provide the fluidity.
“Football is not about the eleven players who start week and week out. You also have a squad of 30 or 32 players and today, with the other guys away on international duty, this was a chance for the other guys. Everybody will be needed at some point during the season. It’s all about the team at the end of the day,” said Manyama.