Chiefs Hardman Katsande Unfazed By New Signings

Kaizer Chiefs midfield anchor Willard Katsande is unfazed by new signings that have come through at the club but believes the greater good of the team is more important than individual interests.

“I just sit and support whoever is playing. Because what we want to do is to take the club from where it was to be in a better position. Like now‚ things are going well and in the direction that we want it to be. It’s not about the individual. ” said Katsande in an interview.

Katsande renowned for tough tackling in the centre of the park has been a regular in the Chiefs squad for the past eight years though things changed when German gaffer Ernst Middendorp arrived in December 2018.

The gritty midfielder however has no problems taking a back seat at Kaizer Chiefs‚ if that is what is required for the team to progress forward and claim a trophy that has eluded them for the past 4 seasons.

New signings James Kotei who arrived from Tanzanian club Simba FC and Kearyn Baccus have meant that Katsande has been relegated to cameo appearances for Amakhosi this season.

“Obviously‚ whenever new players come into the team everybody is entitled to their opinion‚” Katsande said.

An injury to impressive central midfielder Baccus saw Katsande get just a third league start of the season in Chiefs’ 2-0 win against Mamelodi Sundowns which preserved their Absa Premiership lead over Sundowns to 5 points with 9 games into the 2019/20 season.

Chiefs have not won a trophy since their league and cup double of 2014-15. Last season was their fourth without a trophy and one of their worst in recent memory as they finished the PSL season in 9th position.

Katsande is highly hopeful of underlining his importance to the team cause if selected with another impressive showing against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby of the Telkom Knockout Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban before a sellout crowd on Saturday. Kick Off is 1500hrs.

By Gerald Dandah