Chiefs' Maart thanks ‘father' Kaizer Motaung
'When he speaks to us, we feel like anything is possible,' said the Chiefs captain.
Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has praised the support given to every player at Amakhosi by the club's founder and chairman Kaizer Motaung.
ALSO READ: Chiefs' Lilepo and Sekhukhune duo win PSL Awards
Amakhosi on Saturday ended a ten year wait for a trophy, when they beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 to lift the Nedbank Cup title at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Chiefs' Maart – 'Everyone loves and respects the chairman'
And it was Maart who scored the winning goal, lashing home an excellent volley from the edge of the box with ten minutes left.
'Thank you for being like a father to each and every player since you started the club,' said Maart, according to the official Chiefs website.
'Everybody loves and appreciates the Chairman. When he speaks to us, we feel like anything is possible; through him we understand what the club stands for, and the responsibility we have to the millions of fans that support us through thick and thin. So I want to thank him. We are all very pleased to make him happy with this trophy.'
Kaizer Chiefs will play away to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, hoping to scramble into the top eight in their final two league games of the season.
Chiefs are currently in ninth place on 30 points, after a disappointing league campaign. But there is still a possibility for them to qualify for next season's MTN8. Chiefs only trail eighth-placed Chippa United on goal difference, and are three pints behind seventh-placed Polokwane City.
'We haven't had a great season in the league, and that is something we will have to improve on, but we all fought as a team and put a lot of work into bringing the Nedbank Cup back to Naturena,' added Maart.
'More consistency'
'Cup games are different to league matches in a lot of ways, but mainly we want to build more consistency going forward.'
Maart has had to deal with plenty of criticism since arriving at Chiefs in 2022, and playing for them during a difficult time for the club.
The fans have often been on his back, even this season, though his winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final will surely have changed plenty of hearts and minds.
'I became aware of how much it meant when I joined the club and it wasn't easy because of the pressure of knowing what is expected at Kaizer Chiefs,' said Maart.
ALSO READ: Chiefs coach in the dark about future
'But I have worked my hardest from the first day. My first two seasons were not easy but now in my third season, we have been rewarded with something great, which is something I deeply appreciate.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
37 minutes ago
- IOL News
How Kaizer Chiefs target Fiston Mayele became the toast of African football
TOAST OF AFRICA Kaizer Chiefs are targeting Congolese striker Fiston Mayele (left), whose crucial goal for Pyramids in the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns has increased his market value, making him a sought-after player in African football. Seen here: Sundowns' Mosa Lebusa challenges Mayele for the ball. Picture: Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix With Mamelodi Sundowns going into the CAF Champions League second leg on the back foot as they had conceded an away goal, it was vital they scored first in Cairo on Sunday. Enter Pyramids striker Fiston Mayele. The 30-year-old Congolese forward struck in the 23rd minute at 30 June Stadium, which effectively put the contest out of reach for the Betway Premiership champions. Though the aggregate at that stage was 2-1 to Pyramids, it meant Sundowns had to score twice to come away victorious. As Pyramids doubled their lead in the second half with Ahmed Samy, it didn't actually change anything as two goals would still be needed for the SA outfit. Iqraam Rayners did pull a goal back with a quarter of an hour remaining, but there would be no further change to the scoreline as Pyramids ran out victors.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Ryan Blaney triumphs in Nashville to claim first win of 2025
Ryan Blaney gained track position early in Sunday night's race near Music City and earned a playoff spot at the end of it. The Team Penske driver opened the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series' regular season schedule with a win over Carson Hocevar and the field at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennesse. Blaney took the lead late in Stage 2 of the 300-lap event - NASCAR's 14th points-paying race of the season - and stayed in front for the remainder to notch his first victory of 2025 and first at the Tennessee track, topping Hocevar by 2.83 seconds. The 2023 Cup champion, who won for the 14th time in his career, is the fifth different winner in Nashville's five Cup races. Blaney's crew chief Jonathan Hassler called for a two-tyre change on the first stop after Stage 1's conclusion, allowing the No 12 Ford to move up in the grid. "I thought it was a good call. We drove up to seventh there in the first stage," said Blaney, who led a race-high 139 laps. "The car was good (and) that set us up for the rest of the race. Great job by him as always. "I never gave up hope, that's for sure. We've had great speed all year, but it hasn't been the best year for us with good fortune." Denny Hamlin, making his 700th career start - becoming the 22nd driver in NASCAR history to do so - led 79 laps and finished third. Defending race winner Joey Logano and William Byron rounded out the top five. In his 450th career start, Ricky Stenhouse Jnr was tagged by Hocevar on lap 106 and hit the turn 4 wall. Stenhouse, who finished last (39th), was bidding to join Dale Earnhardt Jnr, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch in winning in outing No 450. "I think it's definitely over-aggressive. I think that's Carson," said Stenhouse. "Maybe I should've hung a right and let him go. (He kept) dive-bombing me. You can't just give up spots to give up spots." While polesitter Chase Briscoe pulled away from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Hamlin early, a problem arose for Kyle Larson as his No 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet got loose, went up the 1.33-mile concrete oval and lost speed. The 2021 champ then slipped to the rear of the field and tried to regroup. After pit service, Briscoe, who led 51 laps in Stage 1, cycled back around as the leader, but Hamlin moved by the JGR No 19 and set his sights on Larson, who was in position to be lapped as the 85-lap segment wound down. Hamlin won Stage 1 with Tyler Reddick and Briscoe close behind. Larson managed to stay on the lead lap and make up the distance lost on the circuit. After the Hocevar-Stenhouse incident, Alex Bowman's No 48 got loose and took out Noah Gragson's No 4 Ford for the fourth caution on lap 114. Then Christopher Bell spun off the nose of Erik Jones' No 43 for another yellow on the ensuing restart. Hamlin showed the way in the 399-mile race's middle portion, but Blaney's No 12 and Byron's No 24 came to life as Stage 2 neared its end. Blaney's Ford built a 2 1/2-second lead and easily won the stage over Byron and Hamlin.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
THEORY: Real reason why Orlando Pirates didn't win the league
Orlando Pirates came short in their push for the Betway Premiership title. There were a few factors, but one isn't talked about enough. When Thabiso Sesane was cut down with a serious injury, nobody knew how profound an effect that event would have on Pirates' title charge. On paper, central defence is arguably the team's deepest resource with Tapelo Xoki, Olisa Ndah and Nkosinathi Sibisi as options. However, Ndah has battled injuries and both Xoki and Sibisi have suffered dips in form. The late-season emergence of an outstandingly gifted teenager, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, has been a huge boost, but none of the club's existing centre-halves have Sesane's unique skill set. The 25-year-old was quietly and effectively becoming the marshal of Pirates' back four. It's hoped that he'll be fit in time for the early stages of the 2025-2026 campaign. What did Makgopa and Mabasa do to offend Hugo Broos? Thabiso Sesane at the Orlando Stadium. Image: @orlandopiratesfc/X One X user said: 'Do not touch King Hotto,' presumably suggesting that the club would be foolish to release the versatile 34-year-old Deon Hotto. The Namibian is still a dependable player and popular among fans and teammates, and managers, comfortable in several positions and tactical systems. Since joining from Wits in 2020, club stalwart Hotto has notched up over 200 appearances, collecting six trophies. To say he's an underrated performer is a massive understatement. Broos explains why he likes Orlando Pirates star Selepe Is Sesane the best central defender in South Africa when fit? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
