Publications
Partners
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp insists he will give his new signings some time to adapt to their new surroundings, while he has backed Leonardo Castro to provide an "outstanding surprise".
Amakhosi are still smarting from their Carling Black Label Cup defeat to Pirates last weekend, with their Soweto rivals runnning out 2-0 victors on the day.
ALSO READ: Amakhosi send tribute to Brilliant Khuzwayo
And Middendorp is counting on the likes of Castro to provide that 'x-factor' this weekend as he looks to ease his new signings into the first-team picture.
"There's always a surprise, but this is an outstanding surprise – it's fantastic. The 'x-factor', let me take it from that side," Middendorp was quoted as saying by KickOff.
"All of a sudden you see a player getting completely awake like Leonardo Castro, which is good for the team, good for the Kaizer Chiefs brand, and hopefully we will see it in the next game."
A number of first-team regulars are closing on a first-team return, but the one player most fans are waiting on is goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
The veteran shot-stopper could even make an appearance against the Lions of the North, according to Middendorp.
He explained: "Itu Khune will come back in August – probably even on the weekend already."And, when asked about his new signings and their chances of featuring at the weekend, Middendorp added: "You always look to get the new players right as quick as possible, but we haven't done too much with them because we believe the [existing] quality was our priority."Give them a little bit of time, if you come from Australia or Tanzania, or teams in Zambia, there's always something where you come to another level and you need a bit of time."Not everybody at the present moment will be able to contribute in the proper way that we're looking for."
