Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze opened up about the pressure of the technical team and make a heartfelt plea to the Amakhosi faithful following their 1-0 victory over Durban City on Sunday. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze is enduring sleepless nights, as he works tirelessly to restore calm and confidence to the team. His restless investment explains why he was near panic during the final, nervy moments against Durban City this past weekend.
The Amakhosi snapped a four-game losing streak and bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership on Sunday afternoon after beating City 1-0, courtesy of a lone Glody Lilepo goal, at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
The victory lifted Chiefs to fifth on the log with 33 points, one behind third-placed Sekhukhune United, who have played two games more. It was a crucial victory for Chiefs, as it relieved some of the pressure on Kaze and fellow co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef.
Largely blamed for the slump in form, a section of fans threatened to boycott matches, starting with the clash against City, unless the board reacted and sacked the duo.
Some fans did not heed that boycott call, however, braving the wet and chilly weather in the south of Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon. Nonetheless, Kaze made a humble plea to those who had decided to stay away from supporting the team at the stadium.
“I understand the frustrations,” Kaze said. "My message to them is that, ‘we are not sleeping’."
“We know the frustration, and that they deserve better. They want better things. So, the best way is to try and come to support the team, even in these difficult moments.”
Chiefs nearly lost the three points late in the match, as they stuttered in their game management with City launching attack after attack. Kaze revealed it was a stressful period for him, and it will be something the team will need to address in their next training session ahead of their Premiership clash against Magesi this coming weekend in Durban.
“As young as I am, if that happened another time (and led to a goal) I could have had a heartache,” Kaze said. “We need to take care of the ball better, and understand which part of the field we are in and the time of the game we are at.”
*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch