Interview

Chiefs coach reckons they owe supporters after derby thrashing

Photo: Cedric Kaze

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze reckons they owe the Amakhosi faithful following their Soweto derby mauling at the hands of bitter rivals Orlando Pirates over the weekend.

The Glamour Boys were hammered 3-0, dropping down to fifth place on the Betway Premiership table, having picked up 30 points from 17 league outings.

In the wake of the display that lacked the character required for a derby, Kaze says the only way to bounce back is to continue putting in the work in a bid to make amends with the club’s 12th man.

“I believe that the only way to bounce back is to work. I just talked to the players and I told them that now we have a very big debt to our fans. The only way to redeem ourselves is to pick up points in the next games,” he said.

“We have to go there and show that what happened today was an accident. It was a derby and it shouldn’t have arrived, but the only way is to keep our heads up, work very hard, go to the next games and try to pick up as much points as we can.

The Burundian tactician also touched on the absence of captain Brandon Petersen, Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala in the high-stakes fixture.

“Brandon has been sick the last two days, he got rushed into the hospital and had a successful surgery yesterday [Friday]. I think it’s time as well to wish him and his family quick and good recovery. It’s a very big loss – the day before a derby like this to lose your captain, your goalkeeper,” Kaze added.

“But as well I think that Bruce had a good game and I believe that he made some good saves. It was his first game of course, but I think that he should have been helped more.

“Mfundo was injured in the game against Stellenbosch, and yesterday he got assessed and couldn’t feature in the game unfortunately as well. About Shabalala it was a technical decision.

Chiefs will be looking to swiftly bounce back when they visit Richards Bay at a sold-out uMhlathuze Sports Complex on Tuesday.