New Chiefs signings set to sit out the Carling Black Label

27 July 2016 - 18:30 By Marc Strydom

The Carling Black Label Cup will be an opportunity for Kaizer Chiefs’ new players to observe how the established performers go about things‚ said Amakhosi coach Steve Komphela on Wednesday. Chiefs meet Orlando Pirates in the preseason Black Label Cup at FNB Stadium on Saturday.The gimmicky format of the sold-out match sees fans vote by SMS or internet for their teams’ starting line-ups.Almost predictably‚ none of Amakhosi’s new signings announced so far in the off-season have managed to find their way into the starting line-up.This might be frustrating for Komphela‚ who would have enjoyed the opportunity to introduce some of his new players in a high intensity preseason match. The coach‚ though‚ put a positive spin on the situation.“It’s an opportunity for the new players to observe their colleagues‚” Komphela said.“Sometimes when something has to be done‚ and there’s someone who has experience of how it’s done‚ you go out and steal their model or observe how they go about it.“And that observation can help you pave your way based on the experiences and how you want to see it unfold.“I think the same thing should go for our new players. Look at the ones who are playing‚ get feedback from them‚ and start aligning yourself so that given an opportunity‚ then they can go in.“To be given that room‚ not knowing where the corners are‚ would be very difficult for them.”Komphela praised the way Chiefs’ management have gone about a large-scale rebuilding effort from the squad that finished fifth in the Premier League and ended trophyless last season.“There’s one thing that one has to emphasise. If you remember there were rumours that [Reneilwe] ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane would leave‚” the Chiefs coach said.“And Chiefs never acted in a way that was inhumane. He played his last match against Chippa United with everything that was happening.“That shows you the quality of an administration that is sober here. Nothing destabilises the level of it.“Of the oncoming players – based on the votes they are not in [the Black Label Cup]. We have got more of the familiar faces and style of play that we know.“When we introduce the new players as they come in people will start to break them down‚ understand their games and maybe like them more.“But as is we are happy with all that has happened in pre-season.”Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune heads Chiefs’ votes with 145 671. Striker Bernard Parker is second with 92 288.Kaizer Chiefs Black Label Cup starting XI as it stands: Goalkeeper: Itumeleng Khune (145 671 votes) Defence: Mulomowandau Mathoho (90 448)‚ Tsepo Masilela (74 625)‚ Lorenzo Gordinho (56 675)‚ Kgotso Moleko (45 619) Midfield: George Lebese (73 477)‚ Willard Katsande (65 901)‚ Hendrick Ekstein (55 207)‚ George Maluleka (51 638) Strikers: William Twala (91 708)‚ Bernard Parker (92 288) - TMG Digital..

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