Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic was all smiles after Amakhosi had edged out Jomo Cosmos 2-1 in a no-holds-barred Absa Premiership showdown at the Rand Stadium on Sunday.
The Serbian coach said that he was looking for another two or three more wins, starting with Chiefs’ away trip to Newlands where they play Ajax Cape Town on Saturday, to kick-start Chiefs’ disappointing early season form.
Said Vermezovic: ”Once we have a couple more wins under our belts the confidence will return. This was a vital win for us. The three points were important and I am delighted with the effort.”
Chiefs have struggled to get their league campaign going this season. They have now collected 10 points from their eight matches played so far, but Vermezovic is hoping to settle a score with Ajax.
Ajax scored a stunning semifinal win over Chiefs in the two-legged MTN8 semifinal. The Urban Warriors won 1-0 at Newlands and then drew 3-3 in a classic second leg at the Orlando Stadium recently.
Said the Chiefs coach: ”That semifinal against Ajax was a brilliant game. But I do not expect something quite as exciting and tense. This time as we are chasing league points, which we badly need. I am quietly confident we can turn the tables on Ajax on Sunday in Cape Town.”
Chiefs were on top of PSL newcomers Cosmos in the first half and led through goals in the third minute and 19th minute from two former Cosmos players, Nkosinathi Nhleko and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
But Cosmos took charge after the break and said Vermezovic: ”We lost Letsholonyane in the first half with an ankle injury and then in the second half lost Nhleko and [Tshifiwa] Mmbooi with injuries that upset our rhythm.”
Vermezovic is keeping his fingers crossed that the trio will be fit to play against Ajax. Letsholonyane suffered a recurrence of the same right ankle injury that saw him sidelined for the last two months.
Said the Amakhosi coach: ”We have six days to get Letsholonyane fit. I am hoping the injury is not too serious.”
Cosmos coach Jomo Sono was wondering when his team’s luck is going to change. They more than did enough in the second half to get a share of the points. Thapelo Tshilo, who scored Ezenkosi’s only goal was unlucky when he dented the crossbar with a powerful second-half free-kick.
Said Sono: ”I do not know where I am going to get some luck. However, on the plus side we played well and showed we are starting to gel. I was pleased with most of our game, except when we conceded two bad goals.”
Sono explained that he had warned his defenders not to allow Nhleko to turn on his right side. Said the Cosmos coach: ”The defenders did not listen and allowed Nhleko to turn on his right and score an early goal. Then we were guilty of another schoolboy error when again Nhleko was able to turn and lay on the second goal, all within 20 minutes.
”My plan was to hold Chiefs for 15 to 20 minutes and frustrate them and then their fans would get on their backs, but that did not happen as planned due to defensive errors. But in the second half we dominated and played really well and more than held our own. We
are still feeling our way after winning promotion form the First Davison but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.”
Cosmos face another huge game this Sunday when they play unbeaten BidVest Wits at the Milpark Stadium.
Said Sono: ”Every match in the PSL is tough and competitive so Wits will be no different.” — Sapa