With the festive break nearing its end as action resumes this weekend, for Chiefs the new year brings with it back-to-back tough clashes against Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits in the league, as well as a trip to Zambia to face Zesco United in their continental play-off first leg tie.
Amakhosi are boosted by the timely availability of defender Lorenzo Gordinho, whom Motaung feels will be of great value upon his return from a 12-month loan spell at Bloemfontein Celtic.
“Looking to 2019, we welcome Lorenzo Gordinho back after his one-year loan spell at Bloemfontein Celtic,” said Motaung in a club statement.
“He will come in handy because we are having a few injuries, especially when it comes to defenders. He will have gained a lot of experience during his time in Bloemfontein.
“We have [also] reached the play-off round of the CAF Confederation Cup. There is one more round to go to reach the group stage. We hope that we will deliver.”
The PSL executive member also praised his club’s development structures for their work over the past year, which saw young talents do well not only for the academy sides but also for the junior national teams.
“We are happy though that our Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy continues to groom quality players,” he added.
“It was good to see that Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Njabulo Blom were both part of the Amajita side that recently won the Under-20 COSAFA Cup and consequently qualified for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in February 2019.
“We remain sad about losing our young midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa, who looked so promising. He was involved in a car crash. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he will rejoin his teammates soon.”