Carling Knockout Cup: 'Chiefs should be winning trophies every season,' says Peterson

JOHANNESBURG - This season’s Carling Knockout competition will have a little added importance for Kaizer Chiefs as it gives them one more opportunity to end their trophy drought before it enters its 10th year.

The Soweto giants will have a tough task on their hands as they were drawn to face Superport United in the round of 16, but will take a bit of confidence into the encounter after a promising start to the season.

Amakhosi have won two of their three league games so far, and new coach Nasreddine Nabi has restored the belief amongst the club’s supporters that a return to the glory days of the past is near.

Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson has hailed the impact Nabi has had on the team in a short period of time.

“You can see by the way we’ve been playing, there’s a new energy, a new vibe – it’s something that’s been brought by the new technical team. In the past we’ve struggled, and you could see it on the field, you could hear it by speaking to the players and I think that’s something that’s slowly starting to change,” Peterson said.

Chiefs’ supporters have had to endure the sight of their arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates, celebrating multiple cup title victories during their barren run. Peterson says the players are determined to give their fans some silverware to brag about as well

“It’s never too soon to start expecting trophies from a team like Chiefs because we should be winning trophies every season. We’ve been in a drought for long and I think it’s time to change it and not just say it but do it,” said Peterson.

The dates and venues for the Carling Knockout round of 16 fixtures have yet to be confirmed.