In an unexpected twist to their match preparations, Kaizer Chiefs traded their usual training ground for the high-speed thrills of Zwartkops Raceway in Centurion. This adrenaline-pumping outing comes just days before their crucial league face-off with table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns.
The entire Chiefs squad, with coach Nasreddine Nabi at the helm, embraced the opportunity to test their mettle on four wheels, participating in car racing activities and a brief skidpan driving course. Captain Yusuf Maart couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about the experience:
“This is a good team-building exercise. We are bonding as brothers and enjoying driving the fast cars,” Maart said, fresh from his spin in a Toyota GR86.
Despite the formidable challenge posed by league leaders Sundowns, Maart’s optimism remained unshaken:
“It’s possible to beat Sundowns. We are also a big team, so we must take that mentality into the game on Saturday.”
The captain’s confidence in his team’s abilities was palpable. “We create a lot of chances and that shows we’re not playing badly, so we are confident we can get something on Saturday,” he added with conviction.
When questioned about potentially aiding arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the title race by defeating Sundowns, Maart’s response was as straightforward as a well-executed overtake:
“In football there are no favours. We are playing for our own objectives as we are running our own race. We need points for ourselves at the end of the day, so we can’t be thinking about other teams.”
As the anticipation builds for Saturday’s 3:30 pm kickoff at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Chiefs will have to navigate without the suspended Gaston Sirino against his former club. However, if their racetrack escapade is any indication, Kaizer Chiefs are revved up and ready to give Sundowns a run for their money.