Kaze stands by rotation policy as Chiefs crash out of Nedbank Cup

Chiefs, the defending champions in this tournament, were dumped out by Stellenbosch FC, losing 2-1 at the Cape Town Stadium in the last 32 stage.

Chiefs had made seven changes to the team that started against Zesco United in Durban over the weekend, and Kaze says they had no choice as they try to manage the schedule and save the legs...

"You have to make rotations because of all the minutes the players are putting in and all the kilometres the players are running, not forgetting all of those away trips. Rotation is a must. 

"The players that started are Kaizer Chiefs players and they are supposed to play these kind of games against Stellenbosch, and they did everything they could."

READ: Ouaddou convinced unity can end 14-year league title drought

It was also Stellies that knocked them out of the Carling Knockout in the first round, and they have done it again in the first round of this tournament. Asked about lessons from this defeat, Kaze had this to say.

"I learn everyday, especially after defeats. Most people think they are the best when they win, but in defeats you have to learn and take lessons out of it. My players also learned the hard way today, and this is a defeat that will push everyone to do more."

On a positive note, Kaze says they will be welcoming back some of the players on the injury list, with players such as George Matlou and Thabo Cele having already started training with the team, and others possibly returning next week.

Chiefs are now left with only the league and CAF Confederation Cup titles to chase this season.

They could reach the continental cup quarterfinals should they beat Al Masry from Egypt by at least a scoreline of 1-0, or by two clear goals, in Polokwane on Sunday.

But in the league, they have got a big fight ahead of them, with log leaders Orlando Pirates in red-hot form, and there’s defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the mix as well.

Kaze knows that pressure is mounting on them to achieve something...