WeeklySA_Admin
LAST 2 MATCHES: NEDBANK CHAMPS FOCUS ON IMPROVING THEIR PRECARIOUS LOG STANDING
By Sports Reporter
Kaizer Chiefs will resume their Betway Premiership campaign this weekend, when they visit Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, at 15:00.
Riding high on the momentum of their Nedbank Cup triumph over Orlando Pirates, the Glamour Boys will aim to build on this success in their quest to finish within the top eight of the league standings.
In their previous encounter this season, Chiefs secured a convincing win, which will undoubtedly bolster their confidence heading into this match. With only two games remaining, Amakhosi will need to dominate their fixtures to achieve their goal. Despite the cup win, the team is aware of the need to break their league winless streak.
Currently, Chiefs sit ninth on the log with 30 points from 26 matches, while Sekhukhune United occupy third place with 45 points from the same number of matches. Another mouth-watering clash is penciled between Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Head to Head Orlando Pirates hold a 5-3 lead over TS Galaxy with one draw in nine meetings. Pirates have seen their coach Jose Riveiro depart early as his contract was expiring. Three defeats in the last six matches saw them lose out on a potential quadruple. A 3-2 second leg loss at Pyramids FC saw Pirates exit the CAF Champions League sem-finals. A 1-0 home league loss to Sekhukhune United preceded a 2-1 win vs Kaizer Chiefs. After beating Golden Arrows 2-1, they lost 2-1 to Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semis. In midweek, they made light work of Golden Arrows in a 3-0 home win.
Caretaker coach Mandla Ncikazi is without injured defenders Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane. Miguel Timm will play no part and neither will winger Monnapule Saleng. Tshegofatso Mabasa is hoping for a start up front. Young central midfielder Simphiwe Selepe is pushing for another opportunity. In a statement as they bid farewell to Riveiro with a record of 132 matches at the helm, 80 wins, 26 draws, and only 26 losses, Pirates did not shy to heap praises on the Spaniard.
When José Riveiro arrived in South Africa three years ago, few could have imagined the impact he would have made. At the time, critics were quick to dismiss him. Some went as far as calling him a “plumber,” others questioned his credentials, and scoffed at the idea that a relatively unknown Spanish coach could restore the pride of one of the country’s most decorated football institutions.
“But perhaps the greatest achievement of all was not silverware. It was silencing the doubters with success and doing so without ever raising his voice. Riveiro never punched back at the criticism. He absorbed it, processed it, and channelled it into performance.
José Riveiro leaves behind more than just medals and milestones. He leaves behind a blueprint; a reminder that respect is not given, it is earned. That even in a world quick to judge, the quiet craftsman can still build greatness.”
“A good coach changes a game. A great coach changes a life.” These are the words from John Wooden, a former college basketball coach in the US. And even though its over 30 years the late UCLA coach first uttered these words, the quote still rings true to this day.
