The former champions failed to defend their title and now have to settle for third should they defeat Chippa United on Saturday.

“We will go out there ready to fight and play like professionals. We can sulk and talk about our failures but we still have to keep our heads held up and also look at what lessons we have learnt inorder to bring a better and more positive future.

Looking back Shabba confirms that it was a disappointing season but believes all will be well again.

“It was a tough season and disappointing. This though does not mean when you are down you will not rise. Setbacks are always there in football but it is how we rise from them that matters. We will finish strong and come back a much better side next season,” concluded the Chiefs skipper.

Chiefs wrap up their campaign with a match against Chippa United at the FNB Stadium with the kick-off being at 15:00.

Chiefs lost against ASEC Mimosas in their first leg Champions League fixture, followed by a loss to Jomo Cosmos in the domestic league. They then registered three draws which saw them exiting the Champions League and drawing twice in the Absa Premiership. On Wednesday night they defeated the University of Pretoria by two goals to one.

“Look it is great to get a win. It has been a while since we got maximum points. It was long due and it was only a matter of time before we did.

This will help us better our position on the log and give us the confidence to go out there and look for more wins,” concluded Shabba.

Shabba believes that the break was a period were the team did some reflecting and recharging in order to make the best of what is left for the Boys from Naturena.

“The break was welcomed. It was a time for us to reflect on what the season has been so far and what we need to do going forward. The rest is in the past and we need to lift our heads and look forward.”

Chiefs are now fourth on the log standings with 39 points from 23 matches played. They will have to make sure that they defeat Black Aces tonight in their league fixture to avoid being frog-leaped by AmaZayoni. Shabba feels it is a must win match for Amakhosi.

“Look we want to do well and we have to start now. The team has to come out strong and show character. If we win tonight then we are on our way to better performances,” concluded Shabba.

Fortunately for the South African faithful we will be treated to a delicious looking line-up of fixtures for the Nedbank Cup. Most anticipated is the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates scheduled to play at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

It will be interesting to see who between the giant rivals will be granted a spot in the next round of the cup competition.

Both teams have not been doing badly in all competitions. In the last five fixtres Pirates have won three and lost twice. They are seventh on the log table and have been climbing ever so graciously. With their midfield wizard Oupa Manyisa on his way back they will need to win against Chiefs to at least have a chance of finishing the season with silverware.

On the other hand Chiefs have been a bit more consistent with four wins and a single draw including the CAF Champions League victories against Volcan Club of Cosmoros. They are placed third on the Absa Premiership table and have a chance to get to a third final after their failed MTN 8 and Telkom Knockout chances.

FNB Stadium is the venue and kick-off is scheduled for 15:00pm

Goals by Bernard Parker, second half substitute Solly Motovu and a brace by defender Eric Mathoho sealed the away victory for Amakhosi. This spells a good start to the campaign for the boys from Naturena.

Last year Chiefs exited the competition in the first round and will be hoping to go further this time around as they will have to finish what they started in Comoros next week to progress.

Siphiwe Tshabalala says the team did well and it is now a matter of taking each game at a time and making sure that the team gives their best to ensure progress.

“We did well and the results came our way. It was a good match and well done to the guys. I hope that we can continue in that light. It is just a matter of doing our best and taking it a game at a time. Progress is imminent.”

They will be hoping to make it three wins in a row as they prepare to take on Bidvest Wits on Tuesday evening. This will help the Amakhosi step ever so close to the top of the table. Siphiwe Tshabalala has confirmed that the team is ready for the evening match and will be going out there for nothing but three points.

“Tonight it will be yet another match that we are looking forward to. We want to come out of the match with three points,” Shabba expressed with surety.

He continued to say: “It will definitely be a tough encounter because Wits has been playing good football. But we also want to close the gap between us and the teams at the top so the best team must win at the end of the 90 minutes.”

Kaizer Chiefs face Bidvwst Wits at the Bidvest Wits Stadium tonight at 19:30.

“It was a tough match to play. Arrows are a good side and as much as we landed the first punch, they were able to make it difficult for us to clinch the match. All we could do was keep working and try to come out with maximum points. We were successful at the end of the day and one cannot ask for more than that.”

Amakhosi will not have it easy though as their next five fixtures will prove a tough challenge judging by their form of late. They are to face Maritzburg United, followed by on form Bidvest Wits, and then have to kick-start their CAF Champions League campaign against Volcan Club of Moroni.

Following CAF match will be domestic league matches against Supersport United and Polokwane City at home.

I hope that everyone had a great festive season and are back at work like the rest of us. The past weekend we kick-started our new year with a draw against Mamelodi Sundowns. What a way to get back to work.

It was a game we have been preparing for during the holidays and may I add that it was not an easy task. We wanted positive results but at the end of the day it was not to be as we could not finish our created chances. Such is football yet we have our heads held up and continue to learn as we go. The plan is always to take it a game at a time and make sure that we put effort in all that we do.

Unlucky to the guys and we do know that our supporters deserve better but we have faith in the hard work that we put it. All will come right sooner than later.

I would like just to wish everyone a great year ahead and the best is yet to come. Amakhosi Awapheli Umoya!

The Absa Premiership defending champions found the back of the net during the referee’s additional time to secure a point away from home. Reneilwe Letsolonyane came from the bench and drilled a half volley to beat Maritburg goal keeper in the dying minutes of the match.

“It was great to see the lads showing character when they came back in the last minute of the match. This indicates the never give up attitude that we have.

The results were not as we would have liked but at the end of the day a draw is better than a loss. I think the team did what they could after going down early in the match. It is hard to come from behind and even harder to win a match of that kind. So I think we did well but can improve. There is always room for improvement,” Shabba says.

Chiefs skipper Siphiwe Tshabalala says they played to their best on the day and seemingly things went their way. Shabba feels that the boys from Naturena must now look ahead to the final which will be against Mamelodi Sundowns who managed to dismiss defending champions Supersport United on the same day.

“The game was again a thriller for the supporters. We went out there looking for a win and we came out the winners at the end of the day.

As the team we are happy for the win but we need to now look ahead to the near future. The team is in the final of the Telkom Knockout and will be facing Mamelodi Sundowns. This is our second final this year and we must make sure that we lift the trophy this time.”