JOHANNESBURG – In urging Kaizer Chiefs supporters to “move on” from Saturday night’s defeat to SuperSport United in the MTN8 semi-finals, which meant another opportunity to end the club’s trophy drought had been missed, coach Giovanni Solinas boldly claimed that he’s yet to tap into the team’s maximum potential.
The Glamour Boys were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by SuperSport having gone into the second leg with a slight advantage after drawing the first match in Atteridgeville 2-2 last weekend.
“I promise you guys, the best of Kaizer Chiefs is still coming. You have not seen it yet,” Solinas, who has only managed one win in eight matches, said.
The loss was hard to swallow for Amakhosi supporters given their suffering in the last three seasons. Steve Komphela did not win a major trophy at the club from when he took over in June 2015, until he resigned in April this year, and his successor Solinas has already let slip the chance to buy himself time with the MTN8.
“I am sure that with time this team will improve and will get results. You still don’t see the best of Kaizer Chiefs. It’s coming. The Fifa break is a good opportunity now for us because in this time we will work on our fitness and the physical condition because we have players that need to work hard on this like Lebo Manyama (signed last week),” the coach explained.
“I repeat that I believe in this team. It is a difficult moment for us, but I believe in my players. I am sure that with time we will get the results.”
Giovanni Solinas sidelines during the MTN8 Semi Final 2nd Leg match against Supersport United. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Solinas is also still searching for his first Absa Premiership win as Chiefs coach with his record so far being four draws and one defeat in the five league games - leaving Amakhosi in 13th place, fourth from bottom of the table.
“I perfectly understand the situation with our fans. They are not happy with the result and also me, I am not happy. But we need to move on,” Solinas said.
Chiefs’ next fixture is another tough encounter away to Benni McCarthy’s Cape Town City on September 15. Although the club doesn’t have a history of sacking coaches early, the poor results may call for drastic steps.
Showing that he’s not under any illusions about the pressure he remains to be under, Solinas said: “To go further in this cup was our desire. It was the family’s desire as well to win a trophy because everyone wants it. We missed a great opportunity.”