Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Patrick Mabedi isn’t reading too much into the 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Shell Helix Ultra Cup on Saturday.
Second-half goals from Jeremy Brockie and Themba Zwane secured victory for the Premiership champions, with Bernard Parker managing to pull one back in stoppage time at the FNB Stadium.
Khama Billiat impressed for Amakhosi against his former employers and was voted Man of the Match, but the Zimbabwe international was unable to prevent the Brazilians from lifting another trophy.
Mabedi took charge of the team for the inaugural pre-season clash as new Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas waits on his work permit, and the Malawian was disappointed with their first-half display, although he saw signs that things are starting to come together ahead of the new campaign.
“Look, we played with a good team that’s well organised. I think they did well,” he told the SABC after the match.
“I mean, we tried our best but we should’ve done better in the first half because we knew they are a team that likes keeping the ball and we should’ve been a bit more compact.
“Overall, we still in the process of pre-season. So far, we are looking to go back to see our mistakes and take it from there.
“They are getting better and better every time. They’re getting used to other players. The combinations are also getting better and I know the more games they play, they will get better.
“Mainly, we’re looking at the shape and the combinations to see if players understand each other. Trying to emphasise the transition more in regards to on and off the field.
“But I think we’re getting there slowly. This is our main objective, we need to look into.”
