Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza says they are working tirelessly during the Fifa break to exploit out-of-form Kaizer Chiefs when they return to action in the DStv Premiership from the two-week break.
Abafana Bes’thende will host Amakhosi at the Mpumalanga Stadium, in Hammarsdale, on October 28.
Arrows have been enjoying a dream start to their 2023/24 campaign and are currently sitting on number two in the log standings – seven points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Speaking to Sunday World ahead of the clash, Khenyeza, who donned the Chiefs jersey during his playing days, says his troops will need no motivation whatsoever, as playing against Chiefs is impetus enough for the players to give of their best on the day.
“My targets as a coach are always the next 90 minutes and the next 90 minutes in the league is against Chiefs,” Khenyeza said.
“Chiefs is a good team, and you can’t motivate players to play against Chiefs – they are already motivated. There isn’t much coaching you need to do when playing against them because everyone wants to play against Chiefs.
“From my side, there should be no special treatment given to them – they are the same as the rest of the teams in the league. The intention is to not change how we play or approach the game, because the danger of now wanting to start preparing a certain way, you will find yourself facing challenges,” the mentor said.
Without giving much away, Khenyeza said he attributed his success to knowing the ins and outs of the league and having the slight advantage of having been previously coached by some of the current coaches in the premiership.
“I’ve been in football for a while and played for more than 15 years at the highest level, so that means I understand the on and off the field conditions,” he said.
“I understand the background and cultures of most of these players.
Even some of the coaches, they coached me before [Manqoba Mngqithi]. So, I know some of their tactics, which ultimately makes it a bit easy at times to deal with whatever it is they bring when facing my team.”
