THE BACKPAGE phakaaathi.co.za Chiefs: die is cast
PIVOTAL MONTH: STEVE’S MEN COULDN’T HAVE A MORE DIFFICULT START
Sundowns will displace Amakhosi in fourth if they win.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has predicted April would determine their Absa Premiership title credentials. His team may come out of the month as champions-elect or beaten, battered and bruised also-rans.
Amakhosi have stagnated over the past few weeks, with three consecutive draws meaning they have remained in fourth place. Looking at their fixture list, April will be a stern test of their abilities.
On April 1, Chiefs will host defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a bruising battle for three points.
Sundowns have many punters’ money on them for the title and are playing catch-up as their involvement in the Caf Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup have seen them fall behind in terms of matches played.
But with four games in hand on Amakhosi, Pitso Mosimane’s team are just two points behind Komphela’s. This should add some spice to Saturday night’s showdown at the FNB Stadium.
Chiefs’ Venezuelan striker Gustavo Paez told the club’s website he was excited and looking forward to the much-hyped match.
“My wife and I visited my friend from Sundowns, Leonardo Castro, a few days ago and we spoke about how crucial this game is for our respective teams. We are both looking forward to playing against each other. We forget about our friendship on the field of play and focus on getting the three points. I’ve been watching a lot of their games and I know their style of play,” said Paez.
After the Sundowns showdown, the Glamour Boys will face less-familiar opposition in Safa League side Acornbush United in the Nedbank Cup on April 9, Then it is back to the Absa Premiership and the unpredictable Bloemfontein Celtic, who could be under the guidance of Luc Eymael if the dispute between Phunya Sele Sele and the coach’s former employers Polokwane City gets resolved in time.
After that they face teams who beat them in the first round in Chippa United and Cape Town City respectively. Chiefs will then finish the possibly bruising month with a match against a team laden with their former players and coach in SuperSport United.
Like Sundowns, Matsatsantsa are among the favourites for the league title and have kept up a good pace throughout the season.