![]() |
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela says that every game is like a cup final. (Picture: Twitter) |
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has iterated the importance of pre-season preparations ahead of the 2016/17 Premiership campaign.
Speaking to the club’s official website following a 10-day training camp in Mpumalanga, Komphela revealed that their focus was largely on physical work, as well as welcoming the new players.
“We used the camp to welcome and introduce the Chiefs way to the new members of the team. Everybody is now integrated in the system and we move a step closer to be ready before the start of the season,” he said.
Amakhosi kick off the new season with an away game against newcomers Cape Town City in the MTN 8, and Komphela highlighted every fixture’s importance.
“We have 30 cup finals to play,” he declared. “At Chiefs every match we play is a cup final and the team is aware of that. Added to the 30 league finals, we have three cup competitions to contest.
“We can only achieve our objectives with high energy and fitness levels and that’s what we are instilling in the team at the moment.”
The Soweto giants recently underwent somewhat of an overhaul of their first-team squad, releasing 20 players and acquiring eight new faces as well as three new additions to the technical team.
“This team needs to be strong, fit and explosive. The new physical trainer, Marco Munhoz, is adapting well,” Komphela added.
“In terms of our tactical preparations, we have been working hard on set-pieces. We are also expected to play an attractive type of football.”
Komphela highlighted that the real test will come when Chiefs face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup on July 30.
“The Carling Cup will be a test case. That’s where you get the rude awakening. The status of that match is high on all fronts. It is the season’s curtain raiser and therefore a much anticipated affair,” he said.
“We will be able to say we are at least 50-60% ready to start the season, because we will have feedback from the intensity of the match.”