Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo says he was worried about two Orlando Pirates players, while others like Relebohile Mofokeng or Patrick Maswanganyi appeared fatigued.
The Buccaneers were aiming to complete their Nedbank Cup hat-trick but fell at the final hurdle to Soweto rivals Chiefs, thanks to a late winner by Yusuf Maart.
Khumalo was in high spirits after the final whistle, seeing his favourite club finally end their 10-year trophy drought, but admitted he was worried about Karim Kimvuidi and Deon Hotto.
“Looking at these pictures I mean it’s long overdue. I know the last time we did that, it was at the same venue and the atmosphere was like this,” the legendary midfield maestro said.
“But we need to give credit to Pirates. They came and they played, even though they might have lost the game, but I thought [some] Pirates players were good.
“I mean look at Kimvuidi, he came in and changed the game and I thought if we don’t take care of that guy, he is going to hurt us because Tito was not there, Mofokeng was not there but Kimvuidi when he got in and Hotto.
“Those were the two guys I was worried about [for Chiefs] and also the inclusion of [Kabelo] Dlamini. But we look at Pirates’ programme, I think you can tell some of the players are fatigued.
“It’s not an excuse but it’s from a footballing perspective they are. I mean the travelling, semi-finals all that throughout the season. I mean if we can count the guys that started – your Hotto, Chaine and Mofokeng they might have played probably 99% of the games.
“And the very same players are expected to be also playing for Bafana soon and they have been juggling club and national team.”
