Kaizer Chiefs given CAF Confederation Cup advice – ‘It’s okay to win ugly’

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has advised them to learn to win ugly if they want to make a deep run into the CAF Confederation Cup.

Chiefs are due to begin their group stage campaign with an away match to Egyptian side Al Masry on Sunday and have already named their squad for the clash set to test their title credentials.

The Glamour Boys head into the match on the back of three straight wins, secured before the international break, while they have been hard to break down with five goals conceded in their last 10 games, a period in which they have kept as many clean sheets.

Ertugral feels this is a solid base to build on for a stronger Confederation Cup campaign where they can stay tight at the back, get one goal on the counter and shut shop instead of exposing themselves by playing expansive football when they are still a team in the rebuilding phase.

Ertugral gives Chiefs secret to continental success

“Lately, I can see the team is a little better defensively,” Ertugral told Cape Argus. “Their defensive structure is much more organised because last year, they were just attacking and attacking, and I remember we sucker-punched them and finished them off,” said the veteran Turkish, who beat them early this year while coaching Cape Town City.

“Now their lines are more closed and they have a stronger structure, which is why they are conceding fewer goals. They should be competitive, but as I said, they must not be too harsh on themselves and place too much expectation.

“Also, they must be aware that in this tournament, it is okay to win a game ugly. It doesn’t always have to be about flair and style, as Sundowns would say,” added Ertugral.

Chiefs are in what is considered the most difficult group as besides Al Masry, they also have Egyptian giants Zamalek and Zambian side Zesco United.