Kaizer Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki says the just-ended international break has freshened up his players.
He said this addressing journalists ahead of the DStv premiership clash with Royal AM, scheduled for the FNB stadium on Saturday.
“The most important thing was giving a break to all of us because we played back-to-back matches with so much high expectations in terms of us getting the results and winning those matches,” Ntseki said.
The former Bafana Bafana coach also emphasised how mental pressure and physical stress had affected the performances at the start of the 2023/24 season.
HOW THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK HELPED CHIEFS
“It was more of mental pressure and also physical stress on the players, so we really needed the break. It came at the right time.”
“I think our boys are readier and fresher going into this game because of the break we’ve had.”
Molefi Ntseki also highlighted the injury situation, adding the absence of the vice-captain Keagan Dolly had been down to a long layoff.
“If you look at Dolly, it was a very long layoff in terms of the injury sustained. Dolly also had to be rested because the injury was also a very serious one.”
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The Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain had been out with an ACL injury since April 2023, but the head coach mentioned that he and the other injury absentees are back at training.
“They are back at training. We’re monitoring with the medical team and fitness trainer to see if ever they’re physically and tactically ready,” he added.
The former Bafana Bafana coach expects the break they had to have rejuvenated and freshened up the squad. To be ready to resume the season.
Starting with the game against Royal AM, also known as ‘Thwihli Thwahla’ on Saturday.
The Soweto giants have since won two of the latest games against Royal AM. Ntseki will, however, be expecting a tough challenge from the boys in black and gold.