Kaizer Chiefs boss targets Confederation Cup group stage

Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung

Thursday Jan 03, 2019. 13:15

Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung has set his team the target of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup group stage and is optimistic of success in the year 2019.

The South African giants endured a testing first half of the season, with their struggle for form in the domestic competitions costing coach Giovanni Solinas his job.

He has since been replaced by Ernst Middendorp, who is in his second spell at the club and oversaw an improvement just prior to the festive-season break.

However, Chiefs face a tough opening to 2019, with back-to-back league games against title challengers Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits, as well as a playoff tie in the Confederation Cup against Zesco United of Zambia.

“Looking to 2019, we welcome Lorenzo Gordinho back after his one-year loan spell at Bloemfontein Celtic,” said Motaung in a club statement.

“He will come in handy because we are having a few injuries, especially when it comes to defenders. He will have gained a lot of experience during his time in Bloemfontein.

“We have [also] reached the play-off round of the CAF Confederation Cup. There is one more round to go to reach the group stage. We hope that we will deliver.”

The club founder also praised the development structures for their work over the past year.

“We are happy though that our Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy continues to groom quality players,” he added.

“It was good to see that Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Njabulo Blom were both part of the Amajita side that recently won the Under-20 COSAFA Cup and consequently qualified for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in February 2019.

“We remain sad about losing our young midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa, who looked so promising. He was involved in a car crash. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he will rejoin his teammates soon.”