/ 12 January 2009

Ertugral: I can see clearly now

Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is not in the market to beef up his squad in the January transfer window.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is not in the market to beef up his squad in the January transfer window.

Amakhosi defeated rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in a tense Absa Premiership clash at the Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday.

Said Ertugral: ”I can see light now that we are getting our injured players back into action. My only signing in January, Abia Nale, was brilliant against Sundowns and I do not see the need to bring in more players. But if a player of [Josta] Dladla’s quality was available I would obviously be interested. But for the moment I believe it is only right to keep faith in my squad.”

Dladla had a poor match and played well below his best and was perhaps affected by the publicity and hype surrounding him.

On the big win Ertugral said he is not a gambler, but he played the right cards against the big spending Brazilians by utilising a successful 4-3-3 formation.

Ertugral — worried about his shaky defence and attack — brought in Nale who he signed from Golden Arrows to strengthen his attack and surprised most punters by blooding 20-year-old Wayne Matle at right back in place of skipper Jimmy Tau.

Ertugral said Nale would continue in a free role playing behind strikers Jose Torrealba and Zito Ogbonna.

Said the grinning Amakhosi coach: ”Nale is a quality player. I have been after him for a while now. I saw his potential and on debut today he was superb. He was unlucky not to score. But having said that, he has to keep his feet on the ground and is still not the finished article.

”He still has to work hard to achieve his potential, but I have no doubt he will be reach that potential.”

Nale laid on the cross which Nigerian Ogbonna headed home in the 80th minute to give Chiefs their deserved win. Ertugral said that playing Boksburg born Matle in his first Premiership match in a big match against Downs, was not a gamble. ”Matle is a young full back who is full of potential. He was a bit nervous in the opening half but he settled down well after 30 minutes or so and he is a player for the future.

”I played him against Downs because I knew he was ready to come into the side and he proved me right.”

But Ertugral was not getting carried away with the result when asked if this was the turning point for Chiefs. ”It was a fantastic result and one which we deserved but there is still a long, long way to go, we are only at the halfway mark now. Teams like Ajax Cape Town and SuperSport United are still setting the pace. But in this league anybody can beat anybody.

”I am happy to come from behind and challenge for the title. I am happy to be in fifth or sixth place at this stage of the season as it is still early days.”

Nale, who like Matle who is only 20, said he enjoyed his debut. ”I was a little under pressure in the first half, but the coach told me to relax at halftime which I did and was able to focus on my game.”

Of the capacity crowd 34 000 crowd Nale said: ”I knew this match would attract a full house and I was not surprised. I loved the atmosphere and look forward to playing in more of these type of games for Chiefs.”

Amakhosi are away to unpredictable Thanda Royal Zulu on Sunday. Said Ertugral: Those are the sort of games where we need to be careful especially after this big win. We cannot afford to be complacent.” – Sapa