2009/07/21
KAIZER Chiefs assistant coach Ace Khuse threw down the gauntlet to Manchester City, daring them to field their strongest side for the second of the Vodacom Challenge matches at Durban’s Absa Stadium tonight.
Khuse said that nobody could read anything into the 2-0 win by Amakhosi’s arch rivals, Orlando Pirates, over a second string City in the opening Challenge showdown at a packed Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
Said Khuse: “City must field all their big stars against us. We want to beat the real big guns that City have brought out to play in the challenge.
“All credit to Pirates for winning, but they played against a diluted City side. There were not many of their big guns playing. We are appealing to City to ensure they field all their big stars including their new signings (such as Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry).”
City fielded only a couple of big name players such as striker Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov, against the Buccaneers who were also without their four Bafana Bafana stars, Katlego Mashego, Innocent Mdledle, Benson Mhlongo and Teko Modise, rested by coach Ruud Krol after they helped Bafana finish fourth in last month’s Confederations Cup.
City manager Mark Hughes has spent a fortune so far bringing in England international midfield powerhouse Barry from Aston Villa, Argentine striker Tevez from neighbours United, Paraguay striker Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers and Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor from Arsenal, who signed too late to join the week- long SA tour.
Hughes said Santa Cruz is recovering from an operation and is not likely to play against Chiefs, but both Barry and Tevez are in the frame along with former Jomo Cosmos striker Benjani Mwaruwari, plus the two England midfield stars, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Johnson.
Said Hughes: “We expect a tough 90 minutes against Chiefs and I am preparing for a similar game as we had against Pirates. This is about getting my players into condition and every minute on the field is important.”
Khuse said: “The reason we want to play against the best City have is to gain experience and help us prepare for what is going to be a tough compact PSL season. It will benefit us if City field their best side against us. The result is not as important as getting our squad battle ready for the new season which starts right after the Challenge.
“This Challenge series is a vital part of our pre-season training and we want to face the best both City and Pirates have to offer.”
Chiefs and Pirates will go head to head in the third Challenge clash in Port Elizabeth on Thursday (8.15pm). The winner earns the right to face City in the Challenge final at Loftus on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs, under new coach Vladimir Vermezovic, are unbeaten in pre-season matches having beaten both Bay United and PSL champions SuperSport United recently in PE and they also held the Iran national team to a 0-0 draw in Bloemfontein last weekend.
Amakhosi will not risk their two Bafana stars, goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and left-wing Siphiwe Tshabalala, who shone in the Confederations Cup.
But Chiefs have a new rough diamond in 20-year-old keeper Thela Ngobeni who starred against Iran. Amakhosi also have a much stronger attack with the signing of former Bafana striker Nkosinathi “Chippa” Nhleko and teenage Zimbabwean striker Knowledge Musona, who will be fighting for a place in the starting line- up against Kaizer Motaung junior, Jose Torrealba and Tsepho Bulu.
Chiefs’ new midfielder Mthokozisi Yende, signed from Pretoria University, is also expected to get some game time against City. — Sapa
source: http://www.dispatch.co.za/
+ comments + 3 comments
Sdididi indeed, how can Sdididi sound so arrogant. His yet to prove himself as an assistant. That is a very hot sit and looking at the number of those who vacated that sit or were pushed to the side. Sdididi was never a true loyalist anyway. He played for that Pirates his speaking ill about, he jumped ship and went to Sundowns and now back at Chiefs on pension basis.I think this man will eat more humble pies for speaking before he thinks. A team is a team no one cares who is fielded or not, just like Pirates did not field certain playes. Only leven players at a time no excuses. I used to think this man was "Ace" but I am now thinking he will be a "Case" come this season. Even the great Doctor 16v has never said anything so toxic about Bucaneer. Jomo owned a team at the end of his playing days. What about you Sdididi? Jomo said "I am assistant to no one" when asked if he could be assitant national coach, how about you Sdididi? See do not get something started you cannot finish boy. Well you asked for it and will be glad to give it to you. Even Bobby "Vim 99" has never and will never speak so foolishly. You forget how you really wanted to play for Chiefs and they were less impressed about you and Pirates did you a big favor and put you on the lime light. But now boy you have really taken your pants down and pee on the bones. Look boy even Shoese still wants to play for Pirates, so who de hek are you talking like that.
Marks Maponyane ended his career at Pirates and to this day he is a well respected veteran. Thing is when they perm your head your braine got fried too much that is why you are still pazelling you dam freaken volonteer.
Remember once you get into the stadium you stll have to get out unless your forehead is made of iron.
Bleksem Sedonor
Sis man, ag Sis tog man Chiefs. Anyway come Thurday and blow of your steam at Pirates. You already going back to Phefeni but why stop at Orlando. How you got to Kagiso and now on your way back stops at Orlando is a mystery. Chiefs must bounce back on thursday because if not the coach will realy hane no mangamanga business to play. Anyway this are off season games but Chiefs coach has already went on record saying "in professional foot ball are no freindly games". So it must be fair he is one game down based on his standards. I am not going to call him Velaphi as yet. But if he looses on Thursday I will call him "Vel" and hope not to add "aphi" later. Well we got the patience of a vulture but time we do not have. Bobby Relax man things will work out, you saw Kaizer jr really wanted to score. Anyway a South African team has defeated Man City. Let us then join hands and teach this visiting team one or two things. Our Father Pirates beat them but they took their anger against us Chiefs. Lets all get out including Jomo and Bring all the sticks and bows and lets get this rabit messing up our carrots.
Matapule Sebodu
pirates have a new kit and we have a new kit. pirtaes have enegised their logo. why is kaizer still having long hair on chiefs logo when he has long cut his hippy wig. I ask tha logo be bald as kaizer is bald. It was good then whe we all wore our Afro hair but now I think it will work better.
Ndaramba Polipo