Chiefs going all out for clean sweep, Khune promises fans

ITUMELENG Khune has boldly promised the club’s expectant fans that Kaizer Chiefs will be going for a clean sweep of the trophies on offer this soccer season.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s MTN8 quarterfinal clash with Mpumalanga Black Aces at FNB Stadium, Khune said that, having finished without silverware in 2013-14, Chiefs owed it to their supporters to aim for every trophy.

Amakhosi at one stage held a 13-point lead in the Absa Premiership last season, but ended runners-up on 63 points to Mamelodi Sundowns’ 65.

“We know last season we disappointed our fans by not winning silverware,” Khune admitted. “So our promise to them was this season we will have to clean sweep everything on offer.

“We’ve made some good signings – players who are ambitious and know the respon- sibilities of playing for a club like Kaizer Chiefs. They know we need to deliver for the club and the fans.”

Khune was asked if he was not wary of raising expectations among Chiefs’ already demanding fans.

“As club captain I believe in every member of the team, staff members, technical team and management, because I know what we’ve been going through behind closed doors.

“And I’ve seen huge improvement in training. The players are hungrier than ever before. So I believe this season we will challenge for major honours.

“Bouncing back from a team that went trophy-less to winning a double [in 2012-13] proved how much we wanted it. And last season was a setback as a team. Our fans demand silverware, because Chiefs is a club known to win silverware each season.

“But we know we’re going to have to work hard and do things we’ve never done before to do that this season.”

The Amakhosi captain said he was satisfied with the manner in which Chiefs had gone about beefing up a squad that appeared to lack depth last season.

Chiefs have signed striker Siphelele Mthembu from Platinum Stars, attacking midfielder Ovidy Karuru, clubless after two years at Belgian side OH Leuven, and youngster Phakamani Mngadi, who was also Belgium-based.

“Our football manager, Bobby [Motaung], has been very busy and updating us that there will be more signings,” Khune said.

“Karuru was given an opportunity in our pre-season friendly against Chippa United and was able to handle the pressure that comes with wearing the Chiefs jersey.

“Since then he has done very well at training and shown glimpses of a great player. Bernard Parker has had an ankle operation and will be out for some time. Karuru can be a good replacement for him.”

Tomorrow’s quarterfinal is a rematch of last season’s league game at FNB in April where a winner five minutes into stoppage time by Miguel Timm sunk Chiefs 1-0, a crucial result in Sundowns winning the title.

Clive Barker’s Aces lost skilful left wing Thabo Qalinge to Orlando Pirates this week. But Amazayoni have been on another spending spree, with signings including Thanduyise Khuboni, Mzivukile Tom, Collins Mbesuma and the forceful defender or midfielder Edwin Gyimah from Supersport United.

Bidvest Wits host Bloemfontein Celtic in tonight’s quarter at Bidvest Stadium.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt had an impressive first season guiding the Students to third place in the league in 2013-14, but did not manage a trophy.

Ambitious Wits will view the MTN as an early opportunity for silverware.