Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has reacted after Amakhosi clinched the inaugural Home of Legends Cup in Gqeberha.
Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef were in charge of the team, with head coach Nasreddine Nabi recovering at home after surgery.
Chiefs defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in a dramatic penalty shootout, 5-4, to claim the four-team tournament after a goalless draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Soweto giants cruised to a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows in the semi-final, while Sundowns battled to a 1-1 draw with Chippa United before prevailing in a thrilling penalty shootout. The two giants then clashed in the final.
Sundowns, depleted by the absence of over 10 players on international duty, fielded an experimental squad, while Chiefs had a more experienced team. But it was the unlikely hero, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, who seized the spotlight in the two games.
CEDRIC KAZE POST-TOURNAMENT REACTION
The Burundian expressed satisfaction after the tournament, saying it provided an opportunity for fringe players to gain valuable minutes and for the team as a whole to build momentum ahead of the upcoming league fixtures.
Mthethwa, Tebogo Potsane, Pule Mmodi, Ashley Du Preez, Given Msimango and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo all got a run.
“It was a good game to have everyone get some minutes in their legs,” Kaze said. “Even those who haven’t had an opportunity to play a lot of games. But as well it was a very good day for us because we finished the day crowned with the trophy.
“It might not mean a lot because it’s a one-day tournament. But we believe that it’s going to give us the boost we needed going forward into the league games.”
After the FIFA break, Amakhosi welcome Richards Bay FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on 27 November, 2024 in a Betway Premiership tie.
They will be hoping to pick maximum points with their last league game ending in a hard-fought draw against Magesi FC at the same venue.
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