Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has been pleased with the team’s overall performance this season, even though he believes there is still room for improvement.
Chiefs will face Chippa United in their final Betway Premiership match on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) at Moses Mabhida Stadium. A win would see Chiefs further consolidate third place on the log, after already securing qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Moreover, they would also match their best points tally (57) in recent seasons, having achieved that feat during the 2019/20 campaign when they finished second under coach Ernst Middendorp.
Granted, Chiefs’ third-place finish marks an improvement from last season, when they ended outside the Top 8. However, considering they were in contention for at least three trophies – the league, Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederation Cup – their season could certainly have been better.
“It was a good season, it could have been better, that’s for sure,” Kaze said. “We know that we have laid a solid foundation for better things in the future.
“We wanted to be high up and compete for the title until the end. But we couldn’t do that, although there are lessons that have been learnt. So, they’ll need to be taken into consideration going forward.”
One player who will have few complaints about his season is Brandon Petersen. The Kaizer Chiefs captain has enjoyed his best campaign at the club since arriving, keeping 18 clean sheets and conceding 23 goals in 35 matches across all competitions. Kaze revealed what has been the turning point for the 31-year-old, who had fallen down the pecking order last season.
“Firstly, it’s the number of minutes because he didn’t play much last season. He only played in the final of the Nedbank Cup,” Kaze explained.
“Secondly, he works hard with the same attitude, mentality and energy. I would like to say to players that good things happen to good people. He’s a player with tremendous human qualities. I am happy that this is happening to him. He deserves everything.”
Petersen picked up yet another Player of the Match award when when Chiefs beat AmaZulu 1-0 in their penultimate game of the season at Moses Mabhida – a performance that strengthened calls for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to include him in his final World Cup squad on May 25. Without sounding too persuasive toward the Belgian regarding the goalkeeper, Kaze said Petersen’s qualities have spoken volumes this season.
“I don’t want to comment on whether he’ll get a call-up or not. We are going to know soon enough,” Kaze said. “The national team coach is an experienced coach who knows what he wants for his team.
“We need to let him choose the players that he wants in a transparent way. I just wish to see Brandon Petersen going to the World Cup because he deserves it based on his qualities.”
Chiefs will head into their final game of the season without talisman Glody Lilepo. The Burundian scored the winner against Usuthu and took off his shirt in celebration, resulting in him receiving a second yellow card after having been cautioned earlier in the match.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that happened to Lilepo. He’s an experienced player, so he should know better,” Kaze said.
“It’s football, so I understand his emotions when he scored. A human being without emotions is not a human being.
“We got the three points, so everything is good. We just need to concentrate on the last game against Chippa.”
