Meshack Khotha
Kaizer Chiefs must expect a stronger Tottenham Hotspur than the one that beat them 2-0 in 2003.
This was said by Spurs manager Martin Jol shortly after the team's arrival at OR Tambo International yesterday morning.
Spurs immediately boarded a connecting flight to Durban where they take on Amakhosi in the Vodacom Challenge at Durban's King's Park Rugby Stadium on Saturday at 3.15pm.
From his brief address, Jol made it clear that they were here on business. He said their target was to improve on the 13 goals in three matches by a visiting Spurs team back in 1963.
"This is not the first time we visit South Africa and it is a wonderful opportunity.
"[In 1993] we won one and lost one game. Hopefully now we are better than then because we are building a very good and entertaining team,'' said Jol. "Hopefully we can show the people of South Africa that we can do better this time."
Jol emphasised that they were here to win, and score lots of goals.
Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral said: "It is a huge step to face the Challenge because we are preparing the team for the new season. I am not going to chop and change the squad at the moment.
"Results are not important to me at the moment, but to see the team playing as a unit."
Ertugral is confident that his boys will produce their best against their opponents. He believes the acquisition of youngsters is a strategic decision as they try to groom the Amakhosi squad for the future. The coach acknowledges that they need to improve tactically.
"There is still a serious challenge to create a systematic culture of teamwork as opposed to the often irritating individualistic approach by some team members," he said.
"Although these boys are obviously anxious and hungry to don the Amakhosi jersey, we first need to patiently guide their tactical awareness and synchronise that with their natural agility, pace, talent and speed.
"We also have to train them to be more confident and aggressive since prospects for the future seemed highly possible."
Ertugral is not perturbed playing against the English Premiership giants who have world-acclaimed players such as Robbie Keane and Anthony Gardner, the only survivors from the team that toured South Africa in 2003.
That side beat Chiefs 2-0 in the same competition, but lost 2-1 to Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs will once more parade new players such as Sihle Mbambo, Onismor Bhasera, Sandile Zuke, Tshepo Bulu and Mandla Masango alongside the likes of Thabo Mooki, Gert Schalkwyk, Tinashe Nengomasha and Shaun Bartlett.
The visitors will also parade their new finds, striker Darren Bent, Welsh defender Gareth Bale and French central defender Younes Kaboul. - Additional reporting by Meshack Motloung
Chiefs warned by coach Jol
Meshack Khotha
Kaizer Chiefs must expect a stronger Tottenham Hotspur than the one that beat them 2-0 in 2003.
This was said by Spurs manager Martin Jol shortly after the team's arrival at OR Tambo International yesterday morning.
Spurs immediately boarded a connecting flight to Durban where they take on Amakhosi in the Vodacom Challenge at Durban's King's Park Rugby Stadium on Saturday at 3.15pm.
From his brief address, Jol made it clear that they were here on business. He said their target was to improve on the 13 goals in three matches by a visiting Spurs team back in 1963.
"This is not the first time we visit South Africa and it is a wonderful opportunity.
"[In 1993] we won one and lost one game. Hopefully now we are better than then because we are building a very good and entertaining team,'' said Jol. "Hopefully we can show the people of South Africa that we can do better this time."
Jol emphasised that they were here to win, and score lots of goals.
Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral said: "It is a huge step to face the Challenge because we are preparing the team for the new season. I am not going to chop and change the squad at the moment.
"Results are not important to me at the moment, but to see the team playing as a unit."
Ertugral is confident that his boys will produce their best against their opponents. He believes the acquisition of youngsters is a strategic decision as they try to groom the Amakhosi squad for the future. The coach acknowledges that they need to improve tactically.
"There is still a serious challenge to create a systematic culture of teamwork as opposed to the often irritating individualistic approach by some team members," he said.
"Although these boys are obviously anxious and hungry to don the Amakhosi jersey, we first need to patiently guide their tactical awareness and synchronise that with their natural agility, pace, talent and speed.
"We also have to train them to be more confident and aggressive since prospects for the future seemed highly possible."
Ertugral is not perturbed playing against the English Premiership giants who have world-acclaimed players such as Robbie Keane and Anthony Gardner, the only survivors from the team that toured South Africa in 2003.
That side beat Chiefs 2-0 in the same competition, but lost 2-1 to Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs will once more parade new players such as Sihle Mbambo, Onismor Bhasera, Sandile Zuke, Tshepo Bulu and Mandla Masango alongside the likes of Thabo Mooki, Gert Schalkwyk, Tinashe Nengomasha and Shaun Bartlett.
The visitors will also parade their new finds, striker Darren Bent, Welsh defender Gareth Bale and French central defender Younes Kaboul. - Additional reporting by Meshack Motloung