 Posted on 05 March 2010 - 14:27 THE LEAGUE RACE
This weekend we meet Free State Stars in a match that finishes our tight league programme following an undulating and drama-filled race. After drawing four matches on the trot and winning only one of the remaining six matches thus far, we can only conclude that the first and last laps were indeed the most difficult. The whole experience was emotionally draining when looking at all the preparation we had put and the luckless results that characterised most of our remaining encounters.
Whilst any outcome against our visitors may not affect our log standing, it is vital that we exert ourselves for a win to boost our moral as we prepare for the incumbent cup competitions. The league is history now and only the commitment to rectify, rebuild and strengthen will help us lodge a strong bid for the Telkom Knockout trophy.
Like I stated before, it is not going to be an easy ride against a team that will throw everything at us to also round their season. Our previous encounters have been tough and this one is likely to be a repeat. I however fancy our lads to give our supporters a happy ending to an otherwise difficult league programme.
THE TELKOM KNOCKOUT TROPHY
Our first hurdle is the tough Santos, a team that carries the scars of our last encounter that ended controversially at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Playing in their own backyard makes it even more difficult considering the history of our clashes that pulled more drama and nail-biting results. They rightfully have a score to settle and only our mental strength and a will to combat can see us stepping into the next round. Whilst this is the case, they should also remember that they are meeting a Kaizer Chiefs that has the 2007/8 replica trophy in their display cabinet; a factor that gives a psychological edge over every opposition we shall meet along the way.
Our supporters in the Mother City will also add value to the challenge at the Newlands Stadium that carries drama-filled memories of previous cup encounters. Talking about such, we therefore need a twelfth player that will annex the grandstands with a positive mind that can spur our players to victory instead of the jeering and boo-brigades that often work against us.
I have to state this in an effort to campaign vigorously against the abuse of players; a behaviour that has devastating consequences on their moral and psychological makeup. Whilst this scourge may be mistakenly thought of as a Kaizer Chiefs problem given the numbers we command on the stands, it has also reared its ugly head on our national team and some teams. Some players came under fire at the Moses Mabhida Stadium when we hosted Namibia in the international friendly match. I believe we have a challenge to correct this behaviour lest we allow it to embarrass us before millions in the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
May I therefore call for unity and an unreserved rallying for our team so that we give the visiting countries an Africa experience that shows love and peace. Any negative treatment on our players will surely reflect badly on us and dilute the achievements of our spirit of Ubuntu and reconciliation; a reputation that has set us apart from the rest of the world.
THE HUNDRED DAYS BEFORE KICKOFF
The clock is ticking fast towards the FIFA 2010 kickoff and only those that choose to be oblivious to the exciting period may miss an opportunity of this moment in history. Undoubtedly, our infrastructure is world class with all stadiums recording an almost ninety five percent completion of major sections. Many have been tested and reports that qualify their credibility are indeed news worth celebrating.
On the other hand, the build up is lined with innovative programmes from schools, churches and many other communities that have already bought into the spirit. Our national roads are already colourful with advertising whilst some commercial buildings display a subtle excitement over the opportunities that are likely to spring during the world cup.
The fact that our Football Friday is fast gaining momentum judging from the bold display of the National team jersey is indicative of the growing excitement. I have seen several motorists bearing the national flag whilst the occasional sound of the vuvuzela is welcome to punctuate the early morning rush on our national roads. Faces painted in the colours of our flag are also adding glamour to our streets; something that clearly adds to the excitement. All these should be accelerated in the days towards the opening ceremony and our first match when we host Mexico at the almost complete Soccer City stadium.
On the field of play, our lads will be tested by the friendly matches and the international camps that would set them for the tough competition ahead. Our encounter against Namibia at the Moses Mabhida Stadium has already painted a picture of our current status and further exploits before kickoff will have presented the Technical Team with enough material to finalize their squad.
Given an opportunity, our youngsters are showing tremendous potential and will pose a great challenge. Looking at the progress thus far, i must reiterate that South Africa will spring a major surprise to dismiss many sceptics just like South Korea which reached the second round when they hosted the spectacle. I believe with our supporters adding their unified weight behind our team, we can fight our way to prove that our bid to host this event was not a fluke but a deserved pre-match victory that was attained against all oddities that we faced.
Surely a win against Mexico in the opening match will help advance our course and consolidate all the achievements and excitement of our first hundred days before kick-off. May i therefore encourage all to proudly wear our national team and club jerseys in a spirit that unifies our efforts.
THAMI MYALUZA RETIRES
Our Head of Security and Logistics, Thami Myaluza announced his retirement after a dedicated thirty-nine years of service. Thami began serving as Secretary of the Amakhosi Supporters Club in 1971 on a part time basis and was later recruited in the current position in 1975.
His retirement comes into effect in May 2010 after diligently serving millions of supporters through a well organized system of security. In the process, he mentored others through experience that saw him serve the club and the league thus planting a legacy of a true and committed employee.
May I therefore take this opportunity to thank his family for allowing us to share Thami’s life and sacrifice. I also thank him for his workman’s spirit of a team player that was entrusted with the comfort, the timeous honouring of our matches and the tedious security at our stadiums.
Kaizer Motaung (Mr.)
Executive Chairman | 
