Kaizer Chiefs’ new head coach, Giovanni Solinas, says that he’d have preferred to play Mamelodi Sundowns next month rather than in the first game of his tenure.
The Glamour Boys come up against the reigning champions on Saturday afternoon as the Absa Premiership gets underway, with Solinas taking his place on the bench for the first time after receiving his South African work permit.
Solinas didn’t manage to beat Masandawana in either of his two encounters against them during his time with Free State Stars, however, he will be hoping that he can change that this weekend.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the Italian said, “It will be a tough game, but we are ready… In football, you need time, because one can’t change too much overnight.
“Playing against the reigning champions is never easy. Sundowns started their season early because they had to play African Champions League games. They are the favourites for this season and they have a fantastic coach in Pitso Mosimane, who leads his team in special ways. I would have preferred to have played them next month, but this is how it is.”
Sundowns haven’t beaten Chiefs in nearly two years since their 2-1 win back in 2016, but Pitso Mosimane’s side will no doubt be favourite going into this weekend’s clash.
