Sweswe speaks on Chiefs signings

African Premiership giants.
Kaizer Chiefs this week announced that they had completed the signings of Bafana Bafana defenders Morgan Gould and Siboniso Gaxa.
The Johannesburg Glamour Club suffered the ignominy of completing a trophy-less season with their poor campaign resulting in Serbian coach Vladmir Vermezovic being fired and replaced by Englishman Stuart Baxter.

Chiefs also announced the release of some players who are deemed excess baggage at Amakhosi.
Although none of the Zimbabwean contingent at the Naturena club is on the exit list, there were genuine fears that the arrival of Gould and Gaxa could pose a threat to Sweswe and his defensive compatriot Lincoln Zvasiya.

But Sweswe, speaking from his base in Johannesburg yesterday, said the club had made a wise decision to strengthen the team especially in view of their poor 2011-2012 campaign.
Sweswe, one of the many players still side-lined from Warriors duty because of a Zifa suspension over the Asiagate scam, said he was happy that the Chiefs’ new acquisitions would bring a competitive edge to their side.

The former Dynamos, Mwana Africa and Highlanders defender also felt that Gould’s experience at the back would be vital for Chiefs as they seek to re-establish themselves.
Amakhosi had not replaced Valery Nahayo with a seasoned centre back when the Burundi skipper left to play in Belgium.
“It’s a good signing for Chiefs.

“I am happy that he (Gould) will bring his experience to the club and competition for places at the back so for me I am ready to work and fight for my place in the team,’’ Sweswe said.
Sweswe also spoke on behalf of Zvasiya and felt the former Aces Youth Academy defender would not have any problems staving off the competition for places at Chiefs.

“I know Badra (Zvasiya) has a got a big heart too so I am going to push him since all the guys from Zimbabwe always push each other to play well and that is why sometimes you see all the Zimbabwean guys in the Chiefs line-up.
“We are ready to perform and help the team win trophies’’.

Sweswe also believes that the fact that he signed a two-year extension to his contract means he remains key to the Amakhosi plans.
The veteran defender, who has previously seen duty in the South African Premiership with the now defunct Manning Rangers, saw the last half of his season blighted by injury but he has since fully          recovered and should be ready for the start of the new term.

Sweswe, however, said the Chiefs’ players had felt the full impact of living in the shadows of their bitter Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates, who secured a second straight treble while they finished the season empty-handed.
“Everyone here is angry because we finished the season without any trophy and it is the first time that this has happened in many years.

“But I am happy that the guys are now focussed on next season and just eager to do well’’.
Former Bafana Bafana coach Baxter, Sweswe also said, had been well received by the Chiefs family with the Warriors defender reckoning that he would not face problems in settling into the pressure job of coaching Amakhosi.

“Baxter has been welcomed very well and he even watched our last few games and he was happy with what he saw and the guys are happy to have him after he addressed us.

“He told us that he is not going to put us under any pressure and is not going to the change the way we play and wants it to remain African.
“But with Pirates winning, pressure has been mounting and everywhere we go the fans are not happy at all with what we did but the players have promised to raise the bar this coming season,’’ Sweswe said.

Sweswe was not the only one who welcomed the arrival of former SuperSport United defender Gould with Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung saying the club’s new signing has a lot to offer rather than just defensive duties.
Chiefs officially confirmed that the former SuperSport United captain has signed a four-year deal with the club.

“Morgan as a regular in the national team and a captain at SuperSport United brings more than just play but also leadership to the team.
“We are delighted we have acquired the services of Morgan Gould.
“His ability to read the game, his interception, height, heading and jumping ability and the knack of scoring important goals makes him one of the best defenders in the country,” Motaung said.
Gould became the second Bafana Bafana regular to move to Naturena after Amakhosi signed Gaxa recently.

Chiefs also announced the release of at least nine players as part of their major revamp.
“Lucky Khune and Lawrence Molekwane have been released by the club.

“We wish them the best in their endeavours,” the club said on Twitter.
“The contracts of Steven Ncanana, Dominic Mateba, Siyabulela Songwiqi, Brent Lawler,                         Thela Ngobeni and Kabelo Metsimetsi were terminated, with the club wishing them all the best.                    The club also confirms that Gerald Sibeko has retired.”