On contending with the busy fixture schedule:

The approach and style is that you are taking each game at a time. We are over Royal AM now. The assignment that now has to be completed is the one against SuperSport United. I think it will be a very interesting game, especially when you look at the mood in the squad. All the players want to be in the First XI, which is a very good headache for us to deal with in terms of squad selection and selecting the First XI.

Strength of the squad travelling to Polokwane:

We are taking a very strong team to SuperSport. The guys that are left behind are also very good players with good qualities. The attitude is very good in the squad. Those who have been left behind will also raise their hand to be selected for the game against Sundowns. We have done what has to be done in terms of the regeneration and the freshness of the players, and the tactical readiness to go and grind a result against SuperSport.

On Amakhosi’s four-game unbeaten run

What is important is the confidence and the belief that we are building in the team. Yes, we get disappointed when we don’t get maximum results. Whenever we prepare the team, whenever we go on to the pitch, we are looking for a win. At times you don’t get a win, not because you had a bad game, but because on the day you could not convert the chances that were created. It is our responsibility as coaches, and also as players, to go back to training and to work on those situations where we managed to create chances, but we could not convert.

On reasons for not always converting chances:

Maybe it is more of a mental issue in terms of composure, maybe it’s a technical issue in terms of the execution. Maybe it’s a tactical issue in terms of understanding the positioning of the player in possession, or the position of the defender or goalkeeper. It’s work in progress; we believe we are going in the right direction. The setbacks don’t leave us happy, but we still believe we can overcome these setbacks and be able to get the maximum results we are working for at training every day, in every session.

On what to expect from Matsatsantsa:

It's a big game. Whenever you play SuperSport, you expect a very tough game, highly physical, highly tactical. From our side, we have prepared well for the physical and tactical side of the game. Mentally, we are coming from a draw, so we are looking forward to putting smiles on our faces and the faces of our supporters. And also, to go into the next game with confidence, having played well against SuperSport. We are expecting a very tough game. When the going gets tough we need to get tougher, mentally and physically.

We are facing a former coach of Kaizer Chiefs obviously, so we are looking forward to a good game where we are prepared to give a good performance. Good performances, I always say, will give you good results.

On facing SuperSport, with the MTN 8 semifinal against Sundowns coming up over the weekend:

For us (the SuperSport game) it’s a cup final. You can’t go to the final if you don’t win your semifinal. You have to give your ‘A’ game. We have experience of going through situations like this. We had an away game against Stellies in Cape Town before we played Sundowns (in the MTN 8 semifinal first leg). I think the guys gave a very good account of themselves and tactically we had a good plan against Stellies, and won that game. We came back to prepare for Sundowns where everything went very well for us, except for the last minute where we were supposed to go home with a win. The approach is the same going into this game. It is one game at a time.

On staying focused on the league encounters:

Three points is everything, because winning and getting maximum points will also put us in a good place to compete in the league. As Kaizer Chiefs, we are only playing to win the league, we are not playing to just be in the league. The players and everybody in the technical team are fully aware the game against SuperSport United is a very important game, one we have to play to finish, win that game, and then prepare for Sundowns.

On the state of the Chiefs squad:

We have Mdu Mdantsane, who was not in the team last week, back with the team this week. Last week, we saw (Edmilson) Dove in the team for the first time after a very long layoff. All the guys coming back from injuries are in a very good space. They are just working very hard to avail themselves for selection. I hope in the next few weeks we will have all the players available for selection. I must say, the medical team and the attitude of the players has been very good. With some injuries that were set to be longer in terms of recovery, you see them recovering as quickly as possible because of how the players conduct themselves and the good work the medical team is putting into those players.