Having led Kaizer Chiefs during their goalless draw with Angolan side Primeiro de Agosto in the first leg of the CAF Champions League, Amakhosi stand-in captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele has insisted that Chiefs must win on Tuesday.
Amakhosi face the Angolans at the 11th November Stadium in Luanda, Angola, hoping to advance to the group stages of the competition.
‘‘We know it’s a very important game for us. We started training last year preparing for this game, the team is looking good,’’ said Mphahlele.
‘‘We know it’s gonna be difficult. I think we should have won the game at home easily, in my opinion. It’s a whole new complete game now as they are playing at home.’’
The former Mamelodi Sundowns defender together with his teammates know the importance of winning this match in their effort to make a statement in the Champions League.
‘‘Everybody is aware of how big the game is. Everybody is aware that we need to start the new year on a high. Everybody is on board, the guys are looking forward to it. The coach is also willing and prepared
to go an extra mile in this competition,’’ said Mphahlele
Amakhosi are going to welcome back their striker Samir Nurkovic, who has not played for more than two months. And Mphahlele is happy that Nurkovic is back to bolster their attack.
‘‘We know what Samir is capable of. We are not gonna put pressure on him. We wanna give him space, he has been doing well at training. We all know what Samir can do. Everybody is happy to have Samir back,’’
said Mphahlele.
Meanwhile, Mphahlele has described the passing away of former Chiefs captain Ryder Mofokeng as a very sad loss.
The legendary Mofokeng, who made 332 appearances for Amakhosi between 1975 and 1985, passed away on Saturday aged 70.
‘‘It’s a very big loss to South African football, to our development most importantly. Whenever we went to that side of development he was always present,’’ Mphahlele said.
‘‘He was a legend in too many ways. He has been a very important figure at the club. We can only continue on the legacy he left. He was a soft-spoken coach and encouraged us even when we were not doing well. We have lost a legend, a very important person at the club.’’
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced on Sunday that a moment of
silence will be observed for Mofokeng in all DStv Premiership, GladAfrica Championship and DStv Diski Challenge matches.
The moment of silence will be observed for Mofokeng and the people who lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mofokeng played a very important role at Chiefs and was part of the golden generation that brought glory to Amakhosi.
He played alongside the likes of Jan ‘Malombo’ Lechaba, the late Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe, Joseph ‘Banks’ Setlhodi and Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla just to name a few.
