Chiefs coach prepares for ‘funeral’ in Durban
What do you call a football match without supporters? A funeral.
Giovanni Solinas, coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Highlands Park and Kaizer Chiefs at Makhulong Stadium. (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
Well that is at least according to Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas who has lamented the fact that his team will play Polokwane City behind closed doors at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban due to a ban enforced by the Premier Soccer League’s Disciplinary Committee following fan misbehaviour at the same venue in May.
Amakhosi fans rioted and vandalised the stadium after a 2-0 defeat to Free State Stars which also resulted in the resignation of former mentor Steve Komphela.
READ: Chiefs coach slams pitch condition after Highlands draw
Speaking after the goalless Absa Premiership draw at Highlands Park on Tuesday night, Solinas said he was now focusing on the next encounter.
“We now focus on the next game. It will be a difficult one because we will play without our supporters and also because Polokwane are a good team. We forget this one and focus on the next one.
“It needs special preparation mentally because the atmosphere becomes strange without the supporters. We need to prepare psychologically for it. It is a pity because football is a spectacle and it is good when there are supporters. Supporters give the atmosphere. When they celebrate it makes the game. Without the supporters it is a funeral,” he said.
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