JOHANNESBURG - Kaizer Chiefs defender Philani Zulu on Thursday said the emergency five-hour long meeting between players and management a day following the embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Chippa United at FNB Stadium was “much needed”, although the outcome will now be a squad overhaul at the end of the season.
“It was a difficult week for us, losing to Chippa the way we did,” said Zulu. “We have put it in the past and we are looking to the next game (against Platinum Stars on Sunday). The guys have kept the spirit going and we are trying to motivate one another.”
The reality is that some players will need more of a pep-talk than others given that chairman Kaizer Motaung has said that three barren consecutive seasons mean there will be major changes yet again, and that could also include coach Steve Komphela leaving.
“I haven’t thought about losing my job, but I hope that we maintain the same squad because we’ve gelled quite well and there’s still a lot to be done – but we are almost there,” said Zulu, when asked about having to assemble at Naturena on what was supposed to be their day off to discuss the poor result against Chippa in their own backyard.
Chiefs fans reacted angrily on the sound of the final whistle of that match, pelting players and Komphela with objects and demanding a new coach. .
"The meeting was much needed because we needed to regroup as a team and try find a way to pick ourselves up after that slump. It really helped the team because it brought us all together,” Zulu added.
“This all falls on our shoulders and we are ready to keep fighting – we have not given up. Our heads are not down, that’s the way it should be. You win some and lose some, it just depends on how you keep on fighting."
@superjourno