Cedric Kaze leads Kaizer Chiefs to historic victory over AS Simba
Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze,gestures during the 2nd leg of the CAF Champions League second-round preliminary qualifier against AS Simba at the Dobsonville stadium in Soweto. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Though the season to date has been something of a mixed bag, Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze did not hold back in his praise of his troops on Sunday, and for good reason.
Chiefs beat AS Simba 3-1 to advance to the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup for the first time ever.
After the first leg away ended goalless, Chiefs responded in emphatic fashion at a packed Dobsonville Stadium.
Afterwards, Kaze hailed the performance of his side.
Kaze Celebrates Chiefs’ Historic Qualification to Group Stages Despite Off-Field Challenges
“We are very happy to qualify to go to the group stages, it’s a history for the club, you can see our fans are happy and I believe that we went into the game with the right mentality starting from the first minute – wanting to make things happen and I’m very happy for the club, players they made a tremendous effort and for the fans too,” Kaze told SABC Sport.
In fact, before the clash Kaze was extremely confident Chiefs would progress despite the situation at the club with off-field issues like coach Nasreddine Nabi leaving his post suddenly.
“I don’t know if it is panic, but maybe people are pessimistic by nature. But this team is in a better place than they were in the last two seasons at this time. And on Sunday we are pretty sure we are going to do everything we can (to progress to the group stages) and we are going to make it happen.”
Chiefs’ Strategic Player Combinations and Key Performers
Indeed, Chiefs were every bit as good as he predicted.
“We wanted to try to get different combinations, to get players who can give the extra pass, players who can deliver on set-pieces, players who can shoot as well,” said Kaze.
"To have a player like [Etiosa] Ighodaro in the box that is a striker that’s difficult in the air, it helped us as well and the speed of [Glody] Lilepo also you have different options.”