The impact Chiefs’ conditioning coach has had on Khama Billiat

Arthur Zwane has outlined how Kaizer Chiefs’ new fitness and conditioning coach Muzi Maluleke has improved the players’ athleticism, particularly Khama Billiat.

Chiefs’ mandate coming into the 2022/23 season was to rebuild a team capable of challenging for trophies under a new regime led by Zwane.

The rebuild process included adding a new fitness and conditioning coach, Maluleke, to improve the fitness of the players on the field of play.

Maluleke, who has also worked at national team level joined Chiefs in June last year and has already made a big difference in the team, according to Zwane.

Even though the DStv Premiership giants’ rebuilding process has yet to take off, Zwane is happy with the progress that his team has made thanks to Maluleke, a Master’s Degree holder in Sports Science from the University of Pretoria.

ZWANE ON THE IMPACT OF Maluleke AT CHIEFS

A groin tear ruled Khama Billiat out for the rest of the season. Before sustaining the injury, Zwane says the attacker’s fitness levels had improved.

“By far, [the fitness of Chiefs has improved]. Just that this is not the right platform for me to release the stats,” said Zwane.

“But when we check the stats, the gap is, I will give you one example. At the beginning of the season, Khama Billiat covered in 40 minutes; he covered the distance that he used to cover in 90 minutes.

“So it tells you what has been the problem in the past, and we had to work on that. And improve the team, and find ways in terms of the identity as well.”

Zwane added: “Fortunately, we are dealing with players that are coming from different mindsets, different backgrounds, different environments.

“And when it comes to the chemistry, it will take a while, because now you are dealing with the habits.

“In terms of finding the balance, in terms of also getting the right identity. So we understand, and unfortunately, it also frustrates us.”

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