JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas wants his players to show more of a fighting spirit in the next couple of games – show “some balls”, to be precise.
Speaking at the club’s training base in Naturena on Wednesday the beleaguered Amakhosi mentor admitted that Sunday’s Telkom Knockout quarterfinal clash against SuperSport United in Durban was one they can’t afford to lose.
Chiefs are desperate to get back to winning ways after their 2-1 Soweto Derby league defeat against rivals Orlando Pirates at the weekend, a result Solinas was still apologising for while speaking to the media.
“I am not okay, I still have the scars from the Soweto Derby. It hurts and it’s a big game. You could see the players were disappointed in our first training session on Monday,” the coach said. “But now they must show character, some balls, I am sorry to say. The Telkom Knockout is a vital game for us and we need this cup.”
You could see the players were disappointed in our first training session on Monday, said Solinas on Wednesday. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amakhosi have not managed to win any major silverware since May 2015 under then coach Stuart Baxter, who was replaced by Steve Komphela.
It’s under Komphela that the dry spell for trophies started and Solinas has already missed out on the MTN8 this season after SuperSport United knocked out Chiefs coincidentally.
Solinas will also be hoping to end his side’s winless streak of four matches in open play when they host Matsatsantsa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.