Fixture list has been challenging, admits Solinas

Cape Town - After four games in 10 days, Kaizer Chiefs head coach Giovanni Solinas says that fatigue was a factor in the 1-1 draw with Baroka FC.

Amakhosi started their season on August 4 with a 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the league and then played Wits (league) and Free State Stars (MTN8) before meeting with Bakgaga in a Premiership encounter on Tuesday night.

The Soweto side recovered from an own goal by Daniel Cardoso after Siphiwe Tshabalala grabbed a controversial equaliser seven minutes later, just before half time, but could not push on in the second-half for a winner in Polokwane.

"In my opinion today (Tuesday) Kaizer Chiefs played well," Solinas said. "Yes, at the end of the game we were a little bit fatigued.

"Baroka had an advantage because they did not play on Saturday and are fresh. My players are a little bit fatigued because we play every two days.

"We travel, no time for recovery, no time for training but I'm happy because my players played well in my opinion. Yes, we can convert some chances, but this is the game."

The Italian reiterated that he was pleased with what he saw in the first-half but says that fatigue forced his hand as far as substitutions were concerned in the second stanza.

"Play (with) confidence, play bravely. Don't rush, continue to play football, continue to play quickly. We don't have a problem, we played the first half very well.

"We needed fresh players, I changed Paez because he was not in a good physical condition. The fitness of Paez is not top," he continued.

"I changed (Siphiwe Tshabalala) Shabba towards the end because I needed a fresh player on the wing.

"I changed (Leonardo) Castro because he said to me 'I'm exhausted please change me,' so I put on Ryan Moon."

The Soweto giants once more have a quick turn-around before their next fixture - a league match away at Maritzburg United on Friday night.