Kaizer Motaung hopes for a big 2020 for Chiefs as great Soweto club turn 50

02 January 2020 - 11:56 By Marc Strydom
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Kaizer Motaung PSL BOG during the PSL Chairman Press Conference on 26 November 2019 at PSL Offices.
Kaizer Motaung PSL BOG during the PSL Chairman Press Conference on 26 November 2019 at PSL Offices.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs’ chairman and founder Kaizer Motaung has expressed his wish for the great Soweto club to have a successful year as they turn 50 in 2020.

Absa Premiership leaders Chiefs return from the Christmas break meeting SuperSport United at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday night (kickoff 6pm).

While the first half of 2019-20 could not have gone too much better for Ernst Middendorp’s men‚ especially considering their dismal record-equalling ninth position in 2018-19‚ now the pressure is on to turn that start into silverware‚ and perhaps even a league title.

Certainly‚ Chiefs’ chairman is aware of how important it can be for Amakhosi to win something in their anniversary year.

In a message posted on the club’s official website‚ Motaung admitted that 2020 is a big year for Amakhosi.

“As we say goodbye to 2019‚ we make time to reflect. We celebrate milestones and achievements; we also appreciate the many challenges experienced and look into lessons learnt‚” Motaung wrote.

“After all the reflections of the year that was‚ entering 2020 must trigger inspiration and a sense of newness in all of us. This is not the time to look back with no intentions of changing some things. It is time for new beginnings and to improve on some of the shortfalls of 2019.

“With Kaizer Chiefs turning 50 years old this year‚ we have really come a long way as we are headed to the 50th anniversary since the formation of this colossal brand. We trust that the story of our club continues to inspire confidence and courage in everyone.”

He added: “The performance of the team is subject to input from everyone. From the supporters‚ the team‚ staff‚ sponsors and suppliers and stakeholders at large‚ everyone associated with this badge‚ all contributed to the team to be where it is today.

“It is still too early though‚ but it is commendable and worth celebrating to see the team on top of the Absa Premiership.”

Chiefs‚ who have a seven-point lead over second-placed defending champions and biggest title threat Mamelodi Sundowns‚ have a tough programme in January.

They will want to start 2020 on a positive note against Kaitano Tembo’s well-drilled MTN8 champions SuperSport‚ who are nicely nestled in third place and still firmly title contenders too.

Chiefs officially turn 50 on Monday. They have offered free tickets (two per supporter‚ on a first come‚ first serve basis‚ producing their IDs at Computicket) for their home league game against Highlands Park at FNB Stadium next Wednesday night (kickoff 7.30pm).

PSL this weekend -

Friday:

Maritzburg United v Lamontville Golden Arrows (Harry Gwala Stadium‚ 8pm)

Saturday:

Stellenbosch FC v Bidvest Wits (Cape Town Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

Bloemfontein Celtic v Orlando Pirates (Dr Molemela Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

Polokwane City v Chippa United (Peter Mokaba Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

SuperSport United v Kaizer Chiefs (Mbombela Stadium‚ 6pm)

AmaZulu v Mamelodi Sundowns (Moses Mabhida Stadium‚ 8.15pm)

Sunday:

Highlands Park v Black Leopards (Makhulong Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

Cape Town City v Baroka FC (Cape Town Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

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