ONE of the players who made their way into the hearts of Kaizer Chiefs fans last season, Siphesihle Ndlovu, wants to make it clear with the Toyota Cup whether they are quick or take time to grasp the style of new coach Fernando Da Cruz.
Ndlovu (29) who played for Maritzburg United, SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates, came to Chiefs at the beginning of last season but by the end of the season he was one of the fans’ favourites.
Although he scored two goals for Chiefs in 20 games last season, his hand was evident as the Naturena team finished third in the log.
Ndlovu spoke to the Chiefs media team after the match to wrap up the trip to Spain where Amakhosi drew with Rangers FC of Scotland and Al-Khalood of Saudi Arabia separately before being defeated by Elche FC of that country.
In the next match, Chiefs will face Scotland FC from Zimbabwe in the Toyota Cup on Sunday, at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Rustenburg.
“I was expecting that we would all fight when the new coach arrived, and that’s what happened. The pressure is higher than usual since we are in Spain because every player wants to show themselves to the new coach. This is good because it brings us closer to where we want to go as a team.
“The indisputable fact is that a lot is still new for us and for Da Cruz. The tactics he came up with make us can’t wait to start the league games, but the Toyota Cup is what I think will clarify a lot,” said Ndlovu.
“The Toyota Cup will give us players an opportunity to see if we are quick to catch Da Cruz’s tactics or not, and it will also give the coach a clear picture of the team that came to Chiefs.
“There is something big coming under Da Cruz and this is not my opinion alone but I also notice this feeling in other colleagues.”
In the match against Scotland, the Chiefs will face the players who played for the Naturena team, namely Khukhama Billiat and Knowledge Musona. Amakhosi will open the season by facing Kruger United in the Betway Premiership match at Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga, on August 1.