The arrival of Gaston Sirino at Kaizer Chiefs is bringing out the best in several players, according to his former Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Lyle Lakay.
Lakay, 33, currently at SuperSport United, who were drawn with Chiefs in the round of 16 of the Carling Knockout spent four seasons alongside Sirino at Sundowns.
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He won four league titles, MTN8, Telkom Knockout, and Nedbank Cup and the Defender of the Season award during his time with Masandawana and thrived alongside Sirino who often played on the left side of the attack, rotating with Themba Zwane.
“[Their excitement] for me personally doesn’t change anything but in the same breath, for them, they are rejuvenated as a team with a new coach, new players, Sirino… we know the quality he brings and it’s evident,” he said.
“You know in an environment with different players, it brings out better quality in you, look at Mfundo [Vilakazi], Mduduzi Shabalala, look at Ranga [Chivaviro] and also the leadership at the back with [Inacio] Miguel.
“We played them in a friendly before, so we know what to expect but as you mentioned, people are starting to come to the stadiums to watch them, but we need to focus on ourselves. We haven’t started well and hopefully, we can turn the tables against Chiefs.”
Lakay felt Amakhosi, who they also face next in the league at the end of the month is a good test and understands that their home game will now be an away game in terms of what they will expect to see in the stands, but still fancy their chances of progression.
“It’s a good draw, to be honest, some of the guys were actually calling it, we know Chiefs were in the other pot you know, we were looking for a home draw but obviously when you play Chiefs, they are the home team wherever they go,” Lakay added.
“You saw the last four games was sold out, whether it was Durban, wherever they go, so it’s gonna be a good game, an exciting game, we’re looking forward to it and looking forward to advancing to the next round.”
