One could sit back and say that with not much to play for our season is virtually over, looking at such a scenario a person could further go down the line and say that our remaining five games are merely fixtures that need to be played.

Looking at things the way I have just spelt them out apart from being straightforward negative views, it is also untrue that we just need to see out our games. Each one of our remaining five games is important in its own way starting with Sunday’s game against Black Leopards at Loftus. After our performance last Sunday I sat down with the team and spelt it out to them that we cannot on hand play as brilliantly as we did against Celtic, and then come out and put up a dismal showing as was the case against Swallows.

Consistency is the name of the game for us and we are aiming to put up the same kind of winning display game in and game out, the visit of Black Leopards this coming weekend presents us with various opportunities. Firstly it gives us the chance to get back on our feet and resume normal service with a win, not just a straight forward win we are looking for a convincing win. So to answer the big question how does one get his players inspired for such a game, with the media claiming that our season is virtually at an end so it will be hard to get the best out of the guys. This is my thought process Leopards you see are close to the relegation zone and for their own survival they need to win the game, as three points at this stage of the season can go along way towards ensuring that they stay in the PSL or go down. Which naturally means that Leopards will come out fighting straight from the kick off, as their PSL lives will depend on a win.

We have the opportunity to put their credentials to the test and see whether or not they can maintain their PSL place, the only way that can be done is if we test them to the limit by us bringing our best game forward. If Leopards are confident that they can avoid the drop then they need to be able to cross over the obstacle course that will allow them to remain in the top flight. Our job will be to make it as tough as possible for them, the guys are ready to take Leopards through the mill on Sunday and will not let up in our own quest to round off the season with fifteen more points. So when it comes to getting the guys revved up not just for Sunday’s game but for all five our remaining games, I do not think it will be a major task.

We though go into Sunday’s game minus a number of players Kaizer Junior will miss the match through suspension; he also has an ankle injury, which he picked up in the game against Swallows. So our first change will be in attack with Rotson Kilambe having recovered from injury our options in this part of the field, have once again been opened up and we should be able to come by without Kaizer. Tinashe Nengomasha will also have to see this one out from the side as he was sent off against Swallows, there are a number of players waiting in the wings for the opportunity to get out onto the field and Tinashe’s absence could open up the way for one of the younger players.

I read on the kaizerchiefs.com site that Shaun Bartlett is aiming to finish the season off on 15 goals, as a coach it is very pleasing to see your players display such positive thoughts. With five games to go and seven goals to get it means that he is aiming to score just over a goal a game, and any coach will be happy to hear that his attackers are confident in their own goal scoring abilities and are further more confident that their team mates can help guide them towards their intended targets. We also have Kaizer Junior aiming for the top goal scorer’s prize once he returns to action, hopefully later this month when we travel to Cape Town to play against Santos. With him needing four goals to surpass Chris Katongo I am sure the guys will rally around him and help him reach the top spot.

Anyhow with five games to go and plenty still to play for contrary to general belief, we are aiming for a goal feast on Sunday and want to use our next two games against Leopards and Santos. Towards building our confidence for our all-important game against Orlando Pirates on the 28th April, two victories in the run up to that game will have us oozing with confidence, which can only have positive outcomes for the derby game.

Till next week hope you enjoy your holidays and use the break to come and see us in action on Sunday afternoon.

Kosta Papic