Crucial points on offer
TOUGH: DOWNS, CHIEFS RESULT COULD DECIDE FATE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Chiefs’ Komphela says Downs are not the underdogs, they are deadly, while Mosimane seeks a smash and grab win.
For Kaizer Chiefs to stay in the Absa Premiership title race and keep their championship ambitions alive, they have to beat reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium tonight. The match is set for an 8.15pm kick-off.
Amakhosi will be under pressure to get back to winning ways after failing to collect maximum points in the three matches they played last month.
Steve Komphela’s team went on an impressive five match winning streak and jumped to the top of the league but failed to keep the trend going last month, drawing all three of their matches in March and falling to fourth place.
In Sundowns, Chiefs face a team who have been on a bit of a slump but are capable of causing a major upset. The star studded Brazilians are fifth, two points behind the Glamour Boys.
Masandwana coach, Pitso Mosimane tried to deflect pressure off his team by naming Amakhosi as favourites to win tonight’s clash, but Komphela didn’t buy into his theory.
“I heard Mosimane say they are underdogs? I beg to differ. The underdog tag is dangerous because as I always say, ‘the universe favours the underdog,’ so maybe Mosimane is seeking some favour from something divine. But I’m not going to allow him to seek a favour. They are not underdogs. They are deadly,” said Komphela.
He said the logical thing for Amakhosi to do will be to study Sundowns’ playing patterns and try to work around that while playing their own game. Komphela is also under no illusions about the importance of getting a favourable result tonight.
“It is likely to be a match that could decide the championship,” he said. “April is hectic for us. We have lots of matches. We play seven matches in four weeks. And I’m sure by the end of April it will be clearer what’s going to happen and who is going where.”
Mosimane said as the league gets to the business end, his team are prepared to win ugly if necessary and apologised to the fans who might have to endure uninspiring performances.
“I think it is now time for smash and grabs,” said Mosimane. “This is also the time to ask for forgiveness from our fans because results are more important than expansive football.”