EC Bees veteran Bongani “Jaguar” Chikila says with the experience he’s got, he’ll take it upon himself to lead their young players when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns in their Nedbank Cup last 16 match-up at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.
Since his return to the Beehive after exiting the NFD, Chikila has played three ABC Motsepe League games. He came in as a substitute in the Nedbank last 32 game when they beat Mariveni 3-1 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium to qualify for the last 16 stage. He said the Brazilians shouldn’t expect to walk over them.
“I don’t know what to say but the guys are prepared mentally and physically.
“Everything is there – you can see the way they are so focused and even in training, the fighting spirit is there and that’s why I feel we are ready as a team to take on Downs.
“We also have an advantage against Sundowns because we know them pretty well and they don’t know us at all. That will work in our favour,” said Chikila.
As they would be playing a knockout tournament which can go all the way to 120 minutes and even penalties, Chikila said their fitness levels were at 110%.
“The entire team is really fit and prepared, and the difference between us and PSL teams is that we play high tempo games for 90 minutes and we can maintain it.
“Like last year when we played against Orlando Pirates (at Sisa Dukashe) we managed to finish the entire game without getting left behind.
“We can run until extra time and even play two games in one day because we are exceptionally fit.”
Chikila said the team’s chemistry was healthy as the Bees had integrated young and inexperienced players who were playing in the SAB League when the 2017-18 third-tier league season began.
“These young guys are willing to learn and we, as experienced players, are there to guide them, because that’s our job in the team to do that.
“So they know what do in the different situations they might find themselves in during the game.
“But most importantly they are hungry and whenever they are told something they listen and they implement it and that’s helping us in winning our games.
“And having started in this league without any experience was difficult for them so we as older guys are there every step of the way.”
Having played against Orlando Pirates in last season’s instalment of the Nedbank Cup and getting the goalscorer of the season accolade last season gave Chikila a confidence boost as he knew what to expect from a PSL outfit.
“What I will be doing during that game is to lead these guys so that they can see that the old man is working.
“And whenever one of them makes a mistake I’ll have to compliment him so that he doesn’t stress about it and lose focus.
“Because with my experiences whenever a player makes a mistake the rest of you mustn’t kill that player for it or else they will lose focus.”
Chikila said playing against the best could stretch them a lot and they might even surprise the supporters. “They don’t call me Jaguar for nothing, many thought the Jaguar was in a whee