Cape Argus E-dition

SITHEBE LOOKS FORWARD TO FACING FORMER CLUB |

MIHLALI BALEKA mihlali.baleka@inl.co.za

SIYETHEMBA Sithebe bears no grudges against AmaZulu’s head honchos, but he would savour a Kaizer Chiefs win over Usuthu on any day.

Late last year, Sithebe exercised his right to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice, given that he was in the last six months of his deal at AmaZulu.

He signed with Chiefs, and that irked AmaZulu boss Sandile Zungu, who froze him out of the match-day squad for the rest of the season.

This meant that he could train and do all things as an AmaZulu player, but he was just not going to be selected for the match-day squad until his contract expired.

That didn’t go down well with Sithebe as that “time was tough” on him, but he took it on the chin until his time to head to Chiefs arrived.

Sithebe has fitted like a glove at Chiefs, where he is a regular even though the team has endured a roller-coaster to the season.

“From pre-season when I joined Chiefs things became much easier for me. It was easier to adjust because of the way I was welcomed,” Sithebe said.

“We are still on the right track. The combinations are getting there. We were just unlucky in some games (to make mistakes) and not to score goals.”

Despite their rocky start, Amakhosi could still win the MTN8 and end their seven-year trophy-less run.

But that’s easier said than done. They wil have to beat Sithebe’s former club AmaZulu in the twolegged semi-final before thinking about winning the Cup.

AmaZulu have proven to be tough opponents for Chiefs, and walked away with a point in a Premiership match at FNB Stadium earlier this month.

Chiefs were by far the better team on the day, but failed to win as Dillan Solomons missed a penalty kick.

Knowing the magnitude of the MTN8 semi, beginning with the first leg at home on Sunday, Sithebe is relishing a win over AmaZulu.

“There is obviously always that at the back of my mind that this is my former team and the way I left them was not nice,” Sithebe said.

“But whenever I play, I always want to express myself and give my 100%. We drew and I wanted us to win. We missed a penalty and wasted chances.”

Sithebe has admitted that his best has not been good enough in the opening stages of the season, judging from his contribution in the final third.

“I want to improve and keep my game at a high level and get assists as a midfielder,” said Sithebe, who is yet to make a scoring contribution at Chiefs.

“Since the season started, we have been struggling in the offensive third, even myself. (But) I want to make more box entries, that’s what I need to do more.

“As an attacking midfielder, when you play six to seven games, and you don’t assist, people will start asking questions, and that puts you under pressure.”

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2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281917366958052

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