Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze says they have been struggling for nine months in pregnancy and it’s time to deliver in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.
Chiefs face Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in their first domestic cup final in six years, while Pirates are aiming to make it an record three in a row in the competition under head coach Jose Riveiro.
The Spaniard will leave Pirates with a glittering legacy, while Amakhosi, in their first season under Nabi, face an indifferent future ahead, with a lot hanging in the balance with the silveware on offer.
Chiefs have struggled for consistency, much like last campaign, where a poor run towards the final stretch saw them finish in a record low finish in the league, in the Premier Soccer League era.
“We understand very well the frustrations of the fans and we share those frustrations as well but coming into this game it’s a one… I’m pretty sure, ladies will agree with me, you have been struggling nine months of pregnancy, now it’s time to deliver,” he said.
“Everyone… the whole family needs to show up on the day, everyone who loves the family needs to show up, that’s the only advice I will give to them.”
Kaze, who worked alongside Nabi, where they delivered back to back domestic trebles at Young Africans says he’s raring to go for the game, in what is his fourth consecutive domestic cup final as a coach, with Yanga, ASFAR and now Chiefs.
“I have been with coach Nabi for almost three years, it’s true that it’s a difficult season we’ve faced because of the expectations that are not met yet,” Kaze said.
“But he has a lot of experience from a lot of countries and teams, he understands the expectations, the struggles we are going through, which gives him the tools to prepare for the future.
“Maybe he sometimes doesn’t understand the harsh judgement that he feels is too early to be made but you know in football we have learned, not only in South Africa, that judgement is quick to come, especially from outside of people who have the privdlege of commenting on results that were already there.
“But it’s the job he chose, I spoke to him this morning, he’s confident and very eager on the touchline on Saturday for the Nedbank Cup final.”
The two sides will kickoff on Saturday afternoon in Durban at 15h30.
