Kaizer Jr reveals how Springboks and AFCON trophy tour inspired Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has revealed how the recent Rugby World Cup success of the Springboks and the CAF AFCON 2023 trophy tour at Naturena have inspired Amakhosi.
South Africa produced a heroic defensive effort in France to defeat 14-man New Zealand 12-11 in a gruelling World Cup final last Saturday, claiming the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time.
Siya Kolisi lifted the World Cup trophy for the second time in a row, joining All Blacks’ Richie McCaw as the only two-time Webb Ellis Cup-winning captain.
On the other hand, the Proteas have reached the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup with a game to spare.
They are guaranteed a top-four finish, but their semis opponents are yet to be known as the round-robin is yet to conclude.
Kaizer Jr has stated that Chiefs are taking a lot of motivation from the accomplishment of the Springboks and Proteas and hopes the national team’s heroics will rub off on the Soweto giants.
The DStv Premiership giants welcomed the Springboks at FNB Stadium last Thursday in the final stop of the Gauteng leg of SA’s World Cup trophy tour.
KAIZER JR ON AFCON TROPHY TOUR, SPRINGBOKS SUCCESS AND PROTEAS
“It is a great motivation when you see the nation winning. It’s got to inspire you,” said Kaizer Jr on the sidelines of the TotalEnergies CAF, Côte d’Ivoire 2023 trophy tour in Naturena at the weekend.
“Everyone can see the importance of coming together and having a purpose, and you can see in those moments how sports with a purpose and a bigger dream influence individuals; you cannot buy that.
“And I think we are very lucky and privileged to be able to be in that space where, for us, doing something that brings us joy is touching people’s hearts. If you are not going to get motivated by the Springboks making history or the Proteas I think you are in the wrong space.”
‘SPRINGBOKS SUCCESS AND AFCON TROPHY TOUR MOTIVATE KAIZER CHIEFS’
According to the Amakhosi Sporting Director, the AFCON trophy being at the Kaizer Chiefs village for a tour was also a great inspiration for the team.
He said it was a reminder of what Chiefs are striving for and what they can achieve as they look to end their eight-year trophy drought.
“It is a big honour for us also to be associated with TotalEnergies,” added Kaizer Jr. “For them to even think of us for the trophy tour is a massive honour.
“If our players can get a sense of the importance of national importance because the country comes first, a club is always a platform, but the bigger picture is to represent your country on the world stage, and that is the biggest motivation for me.”
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