Kaizer Chiefs’ Glody Lilepo is chellenged by Stellebosch’s Langelihle Phili duing their trying Betway Premiership encounter at Athlone Stadium on Friday. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers
Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby 'Bobsteak' Motaung was at his cavalier best when he voluntarily offered comment after his side’s 1-0 win over a depleted Stellenbosch FC side at Athlone Stadium on Friday evening.
While SuperSport conducted a pitch-side post-match analysis, Motaung playfully joined the group and interrupted their review to share his delight after his beloved Chiefs had scraped home 1-0 against the off-colour Maroons. Chiefs' performance hardly captured the imagination, but importantly, they ended up winners for the first time in three games.
“It’s a journey, we know it is, but we’re cooking. It’s a process. Give it patience and time,” said Motaung.
“To build a winning team takes time, it’s not an overnight success. We are there, the league is not over yet. Let’s see how they go the whole season.
“It’s early days but it’s why we signed them – the reason is it is the quality we wanted. To help the young boys with experience and quality we wanted to play them.
“The jersey is very heavy. We do it for these people (the fans). They pack the stadium, they enjoy the game. We do it for them.”
Stellenbosch were flat for most of the match, even though they prevented Chiefs from dominating. Coach Steve Barker said a combination of injuries to key players and suspensions robbed the team of their competitive levels.
"It is frustrating when you don't have (Fawaaz) Basadien, who was suspended for tonight's game, and Sanele Barns, who suffered from an illness and has only started training," said Barker.
"When you've got your two starting full-backs and wide players unavailable, we were nowhere near our best. Only losing 1-0 – perhaps even deserving a little bit more from the game, says a lot."
Chiefs' Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi was highly relieved afterwards and pleased that his team had completed the league double over the Winelands team.
"I'm happy about the performance today, and for the three points. It's not easy to beat a team like Stellenbosch twice in a few weeks," said Nabi.
"Stellenbosch are a good team with a good coaching staff. Also, to win in Cape Town is not always easy, so I'm happy with the three points and the performance."
A headed goal by new signing Glody Lilepo in only his second start for Chiefs was the difference between the two sides in a match where Stellenbosch had a little more possession and Chiefs had more shots on goal.