Kaizer Chiefs celebrate beating Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. Photo: Itumleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumleng English Independent Media
Kaizer Chiefs reached a significant milestone in a season in which results have been hard to come by after they secured their biggest win this season against a strong Mamelodi Sundowns side last Sunday.
That 2-1 result booked a date with rivals Orlando Pirates in the final of the Nedbank Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on May 10.
Ironically, the last time Chiefs won a domestic trophy was in 2014, when a Tefu Mashamaite solo strike helped them beat the Buccaneers by 1-0 in the final of the MTN8, also played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue.
Masango – who was also part of the team that beat Pirates in that final under the guidance of Stuart Baxter – believes that as much as it’s great for his former side to have given themselves a shot at breaking their trophy drought, it will also be important to remain humble.
There is still a lot to play for as the season approaches the end.
“The focus needs to be there because it’s not all over yet,” Masango said this week.
“We haven’t won anything, so they just need to keep their heads on the ground, focus and work hard towards achieving their goals.
“For now, they are there, and they need to maintain that standard that they recently set for themselves.
“The coaches and management know how to handle those situations because as players, sometimes you can get carried away.
“You need some people to tell you that you need to remain humble. Even though you have achieved this feat, you still need to continue to work hard.”
Amakhosi will be taking on Chippa United in the Premiership on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (5.30pm kick-off).
They will be hoping that their goal-scorer against Sundowns, Wandile Duba, continues his good form as they look to open a bit of daylight between themselves and the chasing pack for the top-eight.
Masango has been impressed with the 20-year-old’s contributions since being moved to the centre-forward role, and believes he is more dangerous playing there than in his previous midfield role.
“I think Duba is a player who has a lot of potential,” Masango continued.
“As a country, we have a problem of scoring goals and as young as he is, he has a big heart.
“And seeing such performances from a Chiefs youngster, I am really proud.
“He is putting up his hand that he is ready to lead the line because at first he played wide, which he also played well.
“But that is not his strength, because watching him from the development ranks, he used to play as a number nine and he makes good runs.
“He is mobile and has a good eye for goals and he is arrogant as well, which is something you need – that sense of arrogance in the field, so that you don’t get overshadowed by big defenders.”
The 35-year-old also had his say about Chiefs mentor Nasreddine Nabi and the club’s inconsistency this season.
“For any new coach coming to any club, you need time to make the team play according to your standard and according to the culture of the club.
“I think it was a matter of integrating both the players and understanding what the coach wants and how he wants to play.
“And just like when you cook prawns, they take time to cook.
“If he can just carry on the way he is doing, we will have a happy country.”
