Mental strength has turned around the season for Kaizer Chiefs and continues to keep them up among the front runners for the Premier Soccer League title‚ said flying fullback Ramahlwe Mphahlele after his team beat Chippa United on Saturday to go joint top of the table.
A late George Lebese goal saw Chiefs edge Chippa United 1-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit to join Cape Town City at the head of the standings as AmaKhosi kept up their unbeaten run in stark contrast to their inconsistent form in the first part of the season.
“Every team has a bad run once in a while but we had to come together as a team and determine the way forward‚” Mphahlele explained the turn around.
“Sometimes the game is not only about the tactical and the technical part of the game. The mental part is the most important part.
“We work very hard on our mental strength. We try to fill our heads with positive thoughts every day. I think that has been paying off.
"Our team spirit is also improved because it is not easy for the team to stick together when things are going bad.
"Most teams break down and start losing games but we knew we had the personnel to keep on going‚ we knew we had the players‚ it was just a matter of coming together and finding it as a team.
"Now we are working more as a team and that is the most important thing a team can ever have.”
Chiefs have gone 13 games unbeaten in all competition since their last loss‚ ironically against Chippa United in early December.
Although they only have six games left‚ Chiefs have a chance to retake their league title.
“For me and my teammates the most important thing is to stay up there with the top teams. Let’s focus on our form and see what happens.
"The games are going to be very difficult. That was the case against Chippa. We had to be mentally strong and with our team spirit just keep going.
“For us the most important thing is to stay up there with the teams that are fighting (for the title) because we know anything can happen. We’ll keep on going‚ keep on fighting‚” Mphahlele added.
Chiefs play SuperSport United next Saturday in the Nedbank Cup but have two tough away league games before the end of the month – away at Cape Town City and again against SuperSport. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
Chiefs keep title hopes alive after beating Chippa
Mental strength has turned around the season for Kaizer Chiefs and continues to keep them up among the front runners for the Premier Soccer League title‚ said flying fullback Ramahlwe Mphahlele after his team beat Chippa United on Saturday to go joint top of the table.
A late George Lebese goal saw Chiefs edge Chippa United 1-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit to join Cape Town City at the head of the standings as AmaKhosi kept up their unbeaten run in stark contrast to their inconsistent form in the first part of the season.
“Every team has a bad run once in a while but we had to come together as a team and determine the way forward‚” Mphahlele explained the turn around.
“Sometimes the game is not only about the tactical and the technical part of the game. The mental part is the most important part.
“We work very hard on our mental strength. We try to fill our heads with positive thoughts every day. I think that has been paying off.
"Our team spirit is also improved because it is not easy for the team to stick together when things are going bad.
"Most teams break down and start losing games but we knew we had the personnel to keep on going‚ we knew we had the players‚ it was just a matter of coming together and finding it as a team.
"Now we are working more as a team and that is the most important thing a team can ever have.”
Chiefs have gone 13 games unbeaten in all competition since their last loss‚ ironically against Chippa United in early December.
Although they only have six games left‚ Chiefs have a chance to retake their league title.
“For me and my teammates the most important thing is to stay up there with the top teams. Let’s focus on our form and see what happens.
"The games are going to be very difficult. That was the case against Chippa. We had to be mentally strong and with our team spirit just keep going.
“For us the most important thing is to stay up there with the teams that are fighting (for the title) because we know anything can happen. We’ll keep on going‚ keep on fighting‚” Mphahlele added.
Chiefs play SuperSport United next Saturday in the Nedbank Cup but have two tough away league games before the end of the month – away at Cape Town City and again against SuperSport. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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