Katsande ’embarrassed’ by Kaizer Chiefs league performance

Veteran midfielder Willard Katsande finds himself in unfamiliar territory after Kaizer Chiefs failed to finish in the coveted top eight for the first time in 12 years.

The Glamour Boys collected their lowest points tally in the PSL era after managing just 39 points in the recently-concluded campaign, which saw them finish a lowly ninth.

This rules them out of contention for next season’s first cup competition, the MTN 8, making it the first time the Zimbabwean international has failed to feature in the tournament since arriving at the club from Ajax Cape Town in 2013.

However, the club can still salvage what has been a disappointing season by winning the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, which they contest against first division outfit TS Galaxy at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the final, Katsande rued missing out on a top-eight finish.

“It’s my first time, so it’s very bad. That’s why I’m saying it’s very embarrassing to go out of the top eight, because I know what it’s like playing in the MTN8,” he is quoted by KickOff.

“It’s only four games, you win the final and you win a trophy. Now we don’t have that coming next season, so we need to win the Nedbank Cup, which will take us back to Africa. 

“We have unfinished business [in the CAF Confederation Cup]and, if we win the Nedbank, we open doors for many trophies and we’ll start next season on the front foot, with confidence.

“We need a trophy to bring back our confidence, so Saturday is an opportunity for us to redeem ourselves.”

Willard Katsande

Kick off on Saturday is at 19:00.