Kaizer Chiefs will face NFD side TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, with Amakhosi desperate to break their four-year trophy drought. SoccerClub writer DEAN WORKMAN has picked out five Chiefs players who could make the difference.
Chiefs have not lifted any silverware since the 2014-15 Absa Premiership triumph under Stuart Baxter. After a poor season in which they started the campaign with Giovanni Solinas, they then replaced the Italian with Ernst Middendorp in December. He went on to guide Chiefs to the Nedbank Cup final, but failed to finish in the league’s top eight for the first time in 12 years, and now the Glamour Boys are under pressure.
Although Chiefs are just one game away from ending their trophy drought against a NFD side in Galaxy, the pressure of their failures over the past few seasons will undoubtedly be an obstacle that Amakhosi will need to overcome.
With this in mind, Chiefs will undoubtedly be hoping their senior players step up and show all their experience in a clash that will doubtless have high emotions and much drama.
1) Daniel Cardoso
The central defender was one of the star men under Steve Komphela last season, but had a difficult start to the 2018-19 campaign under Giovanni Solinas. Cardoso, however, has re-established himself as one of the regulars since the arrival of Ernst Middendorp, and is now one of the senior figures in this Chiefs side.
With Cardoso on top of his game and leading the Glamour Boys’ backline, Chiefs will be confident in shutting out Galaxy and going on to lift the Nedbank Cup.
2) Khama Billiat
The Zimbabwean forward came to Chiefs burdened with expectations to help them end their dreaded trophy drought.
Billiat was the star man in the semi-final, where he scored a fantastic long-range screamer, and he will be hoping to replicate that performance in the final, because when the former Mamelodi Sundowns man is in top form, there are few defenders in the country to stop him.
Chiefs will be hoping that Billiat brings his A-game against Galaxy and help fire them to glory.
3) Lebogang Manyama
Manyama has endured an injury-hit debut campaign at Naturena, which has limited his effect on his side’s season.
The 28-year-old, however, enjoyed a good spell in the team when Middendorp first arrived, and they have missed him since his injury, with Middendorp admitting as much.
‘I said it several times that I think Lebogang Manyama is‚ and was in December going into January, one of the most qualified players in terms of knowing where he has to be calm in decision-making‚ passing and finishing,’ said the German.
Manyama featured in both of Chiefs’ last league games, and with Middendorp admitting that the forward is in line to feature in the final, he could make a telling impact.
Mayama’s clinical nature in the final third could prove vital, even if he only gets 30 minutes to show it.
4) Bruce Bvuma
The goalkeeping department at Naturena was in disarray after the injury to stalwart Itumeleng Khune.
Virgil Vries was the first to get his chance, but after a few high-profile errors, the Amakhosi management decided to sign Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United in the January transfer window.
The Nigerian, however, made a string of mistakes himself and saw his place in the side taken by the young Bvuma.
The 24-year-old has risen to the occasion and has been solid between the sticks for the Glamour Boys.
Amakhosi will be hoping that the young shot-stopper will be in top form in order to keep out Galaxy, and to avoid the kind of goalkeeping mistakes that cost Chiefs so dearly this season.
5) Willard Katsande
While sections of the Chiefs’ support have called for Katsande to be left out of the team, his experience and work ethic could prove vital in game of such magnitude.
The midfielder is one of the Glamour Boys’ senior players who have been there and done that in situations similar to where they will find themselves on Saturday evening. Katsande could prove vital in breaking up the flow of TS Galaxy’s game plan, which will be a possession-based game under Dan Malesela.
Katsande said in the buildup to the final that he is confident his team will get the business done, and if Chiefs are to lift the cup come Saturday evening, Katsande will surely play a role in using his experience to help his team stay grounded against their less-fancied opponents.
