Assistant coach, Fani Madia guided the side on their last Absa Premiership fixture of the season against Platinum Stars. He took time to speak to kaizerchiefs.com about the last season and looking at the road ahead.

You were given a task to coach the team after the Club parted ways with Muhsin Ertugral on Friday. How did you find out you will be the one in charge and what were your impressions on the game?

The Football Manager, Bobby Motaung spoke to me about it and for myself and Rainer Dinkelacker just had to continue with the job we have been doing since the beginning of the season.

We executed our plan as discussed at training. I told the players to spend all their energy, as it was the last game of the season. I also told them that it was important for them to make a statement for next season and credit to them as they carried instructions well.

I must also add that the players were very disciplined and expressed themselves freely on the field of play.

Chiefs finished third in the Absa Premiership and won the MTN8 this season. What are your overall impressions for 2008/9 season?

There were signs of improvement in the team from what we achieved last season. In some areas like the defence we did not do well as we did the previous season. Overall I think we had a better season although we could not win the championship at the end. We won the MTN8, which means the team did not finish the season empty handed.

What in your opinion were the factors that saw the team falling short in challenging the league honors this season?

There were lot of factors that affected the team this season, inconsistency is just but one of them. Any side that is to win the league should be more consistent. I also think the overall selection of players was our downfall…we could not at times select a consistent team due to number of injuries that we had on the squad. In a nutshell there were a lot of things which contributed to our failure to challenge for the championship.

How difficult for you personally as a legend here to lose twice to both Orlando Pirates and Santos this season??

(Pauses for a moment) I am sure you aware of the rivalry between the two clubs, Chiefs and Pirates. It really hurts. The two losses against Santos were unnecessary.

How far are we in terms of producing another Fani Madida in the team?

(Fani Madida still holds the record on number of league goals scored in one season when he banged 28 goals in 1991. He scored 34 goals in total, a record number that he held for more than 15 years until Collins Mbesuma came and scored 35 goals in 2004/5 season).

(Laughing) what is your next question?

The Club will be turning 40 during the 2009/10 season, what would you like to see from the legend’s point of view?

Kaizer Chiefs has to reclaim its status in South African football. This team belongs to the top of the table and that is where we should be as we celebrate 40 years of success.

We need to put the smiles to the million faces of our loyal supporters who have been there with the Club from day one. We have the talent and the vision.