Why Chiefs have to win
PARKER: WE HAVE TO FULLY FOCUS ON GETTING SILVERWARE FOR THE CLUB
Komphela to field his strongest side against Stellenbosch.
For two reasons, Kaizer Chiefs cannot afford to lose tonight’s Nedbank Cup last-16 match against Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium (8.15pm).
Reason No 1: Amakhosi, being a team as big as they are, cannot go for three seasons without a trophy and losing tonight could mean the unthinkable is likely to happen.
Reason No 2: With their prospects for the Absa Premiership title now in serious doubt, Ke Yona is now Chiefs’ only chance at avoiding a shame never experienced at the club before.
And although the team have not – and can’t – throw in the towel yet on the league title, there is a sense they need to give it a full go in Ke Yona.
Veteran striker Bernard Parker said the team are aware of the situation hanging over their heads and want the Nedbank Cup to avert further embarrassment.
“We are all aware it has been a bad time,” said Parker. “It has been a bad time for our coach (Steve Komphela). He has yet to win anything at the club. This is a chance to get a trophy for the club and also add to his career. We owe the club that much.
“For us this is an important time where we have to fully focus on getting silverware,” added the 31-year-old striker.
While Amakhosi have been stable at the back, having conceded the least goals in the league so far after 23 games, it is up front where they have not been as sharp. But Parker believes the problem is not a simple matter of their strikers missing chances.
“We have players who have proved they can score but we need to work on the link between the supplier and finisher,” said Parker. Komphela will hope the synergy Parker is yearning for will be found tonight against a Stellenbosch side who can be unplayable if they really put their minds to it.
Komphela will use his best team against the National First Division side because he knows how dangerous they can be. Amakhosi
will be facing Mike Lukhubene’s relatively unknown Steenberg team which beat Orbit College 3-1 to reach this stage. They are now faced with the prospects of giving new meaning to the Biblical story of David versus Goliath if they can eliminate Bakgaga who are two divisions above them.