Chiefs DDC coach Khumalo demands more after Soweto Derby win

Kaizer Chiefs DStv Diski Challenge coach Vela Khumalo says his side still have significant room for improvement despite their thrilling 3-2 victory over Orlando Pirates in Sunday’s Soweto Derby.

Amakhosi defeated their rivals in an entertaining contest at the Stadium, with the match attracting considerable attention as both teams included several new faces in their matchday squads.

Kaizer Chiefs reserves captain Neo Bohloko and Samkelo Msimango scored to give their side a one-goal advantage at half-time. Orlando Pirates then fought back through Siyabonga Ngwenya and Lwandile Nzimande as the Buccaneers returned to the contest.

Despite the result, Khumalo was clear that the performance showed his team were still a work in progress.

“I think there’s a big room for improvement; I’m not denying the important role that Neo played. It’s still a work in progress though,” Khumalo told KickOff.

He said the physical condition of the players would need to be addressed, with conditioning coach Muzi set to work on the issue.

“We need to give it some time. Muzi, the conditioning coach, will deal with it. The feedback is that we played the first 45 minutes, and in the second half we dropped deep.”

The coach also rejected the suggestion that the Soweto Derby should not be scheduled so early in a new season.

Khumalo said the timing of Sunday’s match was not unusual, pointing out that the fixture had previously been played at the start of a campaign.

“I’m not going to agree with the belief that a fixture like this one shouldn’t be played at the beginning of the season. It’s not like it’s the first time we have begun a new season with the Soweto derby. It’s something we have become used to.”