adminstars – Kingstone Nkatha, Willard Katsande, Zhaimu Jambo, Lincolin Zvasiya and Mathew Rusike.
On Wednesday night, when the team clinched the league title following a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba, the five players toasted the success with a song “Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe” as they waved Kaizer Chiefs flag.
Katsande, who won his second league medal after he won the local league title with Gunners back here in 2009, described it as his finest hour.
“I am very happy to win the league, playing for a big team, people always question your pedigree when playing for such teams,” he told The Herald.
“For me it is the opening of new doors. l was working hard and it was difficult to achieve this. This season l was playing regularly than last season. It was one of my best seasons so far and l am so happy.
“What really helped us in winning was there was an understanding among the players and we have a great coach. He made the difference.
“When he came during the pre season, the coach sat with us and really told us that he is not here to change any one of us but to compliment us and the spirit in the team was just great.
“We have to win the Nedbank Cup and end the season perfectly. Most of the guys are on top of the game and this current squad can go far as we have quality players and everyone is already looking forward to another victory.”
Jambo, who only played nine matches this season before he was sidelined by injury for the rest of the season, was happy to win his first medal with the club.
“It is something that l have always longed for, for too long. When l was playing in Zimbabwe, my former club Gunners won the league the year l left and l had only played five games.
“It feels good to be part of the winning team. It means as a foreign player, we came here to add value to the team and we are duly contributing something to the club’s fortunes.”
The former Amakhosi duo of Tinashe Nengomasha and Thomas Sweswe who are now at Wits University also congratulated the team.
Nengomasha won back-to-back championship with Chiefs in the season 2003/04 and 2004/2005.
“I would like to congratulate the club. I think everything goes down to the management of the team and the professionalism at the club,” said Nengomasha.
“Their supporters thrive for the best and have also been wishing and waiting to win again for some time.
“They had about eight or nine players playing international football with the national team and that brought experience to the club.
“The approach of the new coach, also brought in love and trust in the team and he is a good coach and he managed to do it. They were just consistent and kudos to the coach.
“I left the Zimbabwe Premiership when l was still a young player and l remember when we won the league with coach Ted Dumitru. He was just like Stewart Barker and had great players such as Brian Baloyi, Patrick Mabedi a Malawian international, Shoes Moshoeu was coming from Turkey, and the team was just full of international players and l was the only youngster.
“I was lucky enough to be in that team. These factors of a good coach and experienced players played an important role in winning the league. As a player it shaped me and it was easy to win the league back-to-back.”
Nengomasha said there was no substitute to success.
“The good thing is when you have tasted success you want to do it again, it becomes addictive and next season you will see that Chiefs will have a high chance of defending the title,” said Nengomasha.
“They have many new players like Gould (Morgan), Nkatha (Kingstone) and next season would be their second year playing together and they have tasted victory and will work even harder.
“They also have great supporters who would cheer them to success.”
Sweswe also congratulated his former team.
Online Reporter