Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has admitted that the club’s pre-season has not been easy following the late arrival of new coach Giovanni Solinas, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
The Glamour Boys finished last season with Patrick Mabedi temporarily in charge following the departure of Steve Komphela.
Despite having ample time to find the now Bloemfontein Celtic mentor’s replacement, Chiefs found their search for a new coach difficult, with club chairman Bobby Motaung admitting to such during the process.
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Chiefs finally named Solinas as their new head coach halfway through July, leaving the Italian with only a few weeks to get his ideas and philosophy through to the players.
Mphahlele admitted during the launch of the MTN8 that the late arrival of the coach has affected the side’s preparations for the new season.
‘Pre-season was not easy, with the new coach and the philosophy.
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‘We are trying to work on the team and improve the team, but it has been difficult.
‘We have a new coach that has just come in and obviously he’s got his own philosophy. He wants to do things his way and he wants the team to play the way he wants.
‘You know it’s difficult, change is not easy especially in the beginning, but we are adapting and doing everything in our power. We are trying to also work with him to say this can be done.
‘We are working very hard, believe me. Especially off the pitch, where we have to iron out little things and try and fix the team.
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‘It’s going to take time, it’s a new era, we lost our coach last season. Now it’s another coach and we have to try and get to his level.
‘He is a very aggressive coach that wants perfection. He wants us to work hard and he wants us to change the mentality,’ the defender concluded.
