JOHANNESBURG — Two-goal Man of the Match Matthew Rusike has thanked the Kaizer Chiefs fans who came out to support them at FNB Stadium as they won 4-1 over Polokwane City to lift the 2014/14 South Africa Premier Soccer League title. Chiefs will get R10 million for winning the league title.
Kick Off
Rusike’s two beautiful goals and further strikes from George Lebese and Bernard Parker handed Amakhosi an easy win over Rise and Shine on Wednesday night.
Rusike lined up with hardman Willard Katsande while Ovidy Karuru is the other Zimbabwean in the famous Soweto giants.
Rusike, whose performances have not always been appreciated by the supporters, was happy to have scored two goals as his side convincingly clinched the League title.
“It’s an amazing result today [Wednesday], it’s all about results and closing up the League and there are still a couple of games to go,” Rusike said.
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“We’re happy with it, I’m happy with my performance, but it’s a team thing you know and you can see the jubilation here [from the fans who invaded the pitch to celebrate] so thanks to all of them for coming out today.”
Rusike’s interview was cut short as swarms of supporters stormed the post-match interview area, ending the broadcast.
Zimbabwean international expressed confidence that he deserves to don the gold and black jersey of the Glamour Boys and believes he can deliver when called upon.
“I don’t really take much notice [of the boos] and I focus on the job at hand. What is done is not within my world and it doesn’t affect me, really. As I said, the players that I play with and the coaches respect me.
“We respect each other and I’m happy, they are happy. I have the support of my teammates and the coaching staff . . . I believe in my ability and I believe in myself so I just need to continue working hard,” he says.
Speaking of teammates, Chiefs’ hard man Katsande believes Rusike is capable of offering the team more going forward.
“I always tell him that he must keep on working hard. It is just that the fans will look the other way of his game,” Katsande says. “But overall, he helped us a lot in terms of defending. He always pays attention to the coach’s instruction and he is really an important player for us. There is still a lot to come from him, he must continue working hard and not try to listen to negatives. Chiefs is a big team and everybody has his or her opinion,” Katsande concludes.
Rusike, whose contract apparently expires at the end of this season, has started seven matches for Chiefs this season in all competitions and found the back of the net three times. Sponsors Absa hailed Kaizer Chiefs’ title-winning season after the Soweto giants took an unassailable lead in the race for honours. Chiefs will now be officially crowned Absa Premiership champions on May 9.
Bobby Malabie, Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Relations: Barclays Africa, complimented Chiefs on their emphatic triumph.
He also alluded to their record-breaking 19-match unbeaten run earlier in the season and the fact that they still have a chance of amassing the most number of league points — 72 — in an Absa Premiership season.
“To win so convincingly means that the team has obviously performed brilliantly on many fronts, on and off the field. Throughout the season, they displayed unrelenting passion, commitment and hunger. Chiefs’ success is also attributable to their consistency, focus and excellent execution of their game plan,” said Malabie.
He added that every member of the Chiefs’ playing squad and management team deserved praise. “Exceptional teamwork and solid leadership throughout the season as well as the agility to bounce back from their two defeats to date were also hallmarks of their success.”
Malabie emphasised that sport, especially football, has become a major platform for Absa to help people – particularly, customers, fans and players – achieve their ambitions in the right way. “As sponsors of the Absa Premiership, it is extremely rewarding to be able to leverage our involvement in South African football and actively engage with the communities in which we conduct our business.”
For example, Absa’s Rekaofela Fan Bus has travelled to all nine provinces during the Absa Premiership season, providing customers with an exclusive opportunity to actively engage with the Absa brand, their favourite clubs and footballing legends such as Lucas Radebe.
Absa Premiership Rekaofela ambassador and former Chiefs and Leeds United legend, Lucas Radebe, also commended Chiefs on winning their second league title in three years.
“It is truly fitting that Chiefs will be crowned as Absa Premiership champions. They were remarkably consistent and efficient throughout the season. I’m truly impressed with the way Chiefs has gone about every game they’ve played – they are deserving champions.”
Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was delighted to win the league but said the celebrations will be put on hold for the players.
“Obviously it’s a good night for Kaizer Chiefs,” Baxter said at the post-match Press conference. “Whether you look at the result or the performance or where we are in the table I think it’s a good night for Kaizer Chiefs and everybody connected to the football club.
“I’m delighted for the players and delighted for everybody connect to the football club but the champagne will be on ice, well at least for the players, that doesn’t apply to the staff!
“But we’ll try and keep ourselves on an even keel and make sure we finish off the season in the best possible way.”
The Chiefs coach wants to remain professional until the last ball is kicked, with an Absa Premiership points record still within reach for the Glamour Boys.
“I thought the lads were worth their victory [tonight], but now the season’s not finished for us. I’ve just told them in the dressing room that we’ve got three big games to play and if anybody’s not professional enough to be able to hold the celebrations until the end of the season then maybe they shouldn’t be at a club like Kaizer Chiefs,” he warned.