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Malajila finished behind winner Katlego Mashego and Bernard Parker while the Kaizer Chiefs’s group of Kingston Nkhatha, Willard Katsande, Matthew Rusike, Zhaimu Jambo and Lincoln Zvasiya celebrated winning the championship.
Chiefs’ owner, Kaizer Motaung, revealed they will break their lengthy boycott of the Caf inter-club competitions by playing in the Champions League next year.
Coach Stuart Baxter singled out three players, Katsande, Ithumeleng Khune and Tefu Mashamaite for special praise.
“If you take Itu, I think he is the best goalkeeper on the continent and, possibly, one of the best I have worked with,” said the Englishman.
“I think there are other goalkeepers that made as many saves as Itu, but his general presence and inspiration to the players has been invaluable for us.
“Masha (Tefu Mashamaite) came to the party. He has had a season you guys have been surprised by. Lots of people told me when I came that, ‘No, he won’t be good enough’. Without that performance, we could have been fifth or sixth in the League.
“I think Willard Katsande too. When I came, he was a rash tackling hooligan in the middle of the field — that’s what I called him. I said to him, ‘I don’t want a rash tackling hooligan’. We played a friendly game while in camp in Potchefstroom and he gave away a penalty by nearly breaking someone’s leg in a friendly game.
“So I told him I don’t want a rash tackling hooligan and he looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘if you take time to teach me, I would learn’. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Willard. “ Chidzambwa said his team will regain composure and claw their way back to the top-flight league.
Leopards lost 3-2 against Free State Stars in Bethlehem on Saturday, to end the Absa Premiership season at the bottom of the table as they received the automatic chop, while Stars secured a top-half finish by taking seventh position.
‘’We played reasonably well and created scoring opportunities, but there was no finishing, which has been our downfall in the season,” Chidzambwa said.
“Defensively there was an improvement which is something I hope we can work on next season in the National First Division.
“We have to regroup and fight to regain Premiership status next season and I’m positive we are going to return.”
The Zimbabwean said the team’s creation rate was a positive sign that they would return to the country’s top-flight a better side.
They conceded 63 goals in 30 games, however, and would need to tighten up at the back.
‘’Our defence needs urgent attention and the high number of goals conceded reflects our weakness,” he said.
“The team’s relegation is like a funeral throughout the world. Leopards’ relegation leaves me with a big disappointment.” — KickOff/Supersport.
Online Reporter