The Kaizer Chiefs first team played their first friendly yesterday afternoon, the 25 June 2008, against the Chiefs development side. The day started with a two hour training session in the morning, the players then took a break, before returning to the Amakhosi training village for a three o’clock kick off.

“The score was not important,” commented Gordon Gilbert, one of Amakhosi’s new signings from Mpumalanga Black Aces, “what was important was to get that first game out of the way, to get rid of all the ring rust.” Gilbert was one of only three players to play the full 90 minutes. Mushin Ertugral is clearly trying to asses his options as coach and find the best side possible for, what he hopes, is a trophy-winning season.

The pre-season is a crucial part of any season as a good start is vital in order to mount any title challenge. Ertugral says: “We will use the pre-season games, especially the Vodacom Challenge against a quality team like Manchester United, to find our strongest starting 11.”

The friendly game against the Chiefs development side was a good start for the first team, but it is important that they maintain a winning attitude and work hard in pre-season. “The development side was extremely keen and eager to impress, but so were we. We all know how important it is to get into that mental attitude of winning” reflects Gilbert on yesterday’s game.