Chiefs look to return to their Durban glory days
MOSES Mabhida Stadium in Durban used to be a happy hunting ground for Kaizer Chiefs but it has now become a source of pain for the Amakhosi.
The Glamour Boys will be out to change their fortunes when they square off against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the iconic World Cup arena in the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals on Saturday (3pm).
Chiefs were renowned for their ability to sweep everyone in front of them whenever they played at the stunning venue.
Back in 2012, they won the Nedbank Cup thanks to a solitary Bernard Parker strike that ensured they got the better of SuperSport United. The victory earned Stuart Baxter his first trophy with the Amakhosi.
The last time they lifted a major domestic knockout competition was also at Mabhida against their sworn rivals, the Buccaneers. The two Soweto giants met in the 2014 MTN8 final and defender Tefu Mashamiate headed Chiefs to victory.
Since then though, nothing has gone well for Chiefs at the stadium that serves as the alternative venue to their main homeground, the FNB Stadium.
In 2016, Chiefs lost 3-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout. They missed two penalties on a night which marked the first time they were ever beaten by the Brazilians in a cup final.
The following year saw Chiefs fans leave the stadium with their flags furled up, their faces sad and their hearts broken following a 2-0 defeat to Free State Stars in a Nedbank Cup semi-final.
That match brought the worst out of the fans as the crowd stormed the pitch and vandalized the stadium and attacked security personnel. The result let to then coach Steve Komphela tendering his resignation with only a handful matches left before the season’s end.
Perhaps what will weigh most heavily on many the Amakhosi faithful, is the fact that just last season their club lost to Pirates at the same venue in the same competition. The Buccaneers won the semi-final clash 2-1 to get to the ultimate stage where they were humbled by Baroka FC.
No doubt Chiefs will be looking to inflict revenge on their rivals. They haven’t tasted success against the Sea Robbers for the past five years in all competitions.
Amakhosi are favourites heading into Saturday’s encounter, however, given that they sit top of the league table and are fresh from a 2-0 win over Sundowns.
But they will know only too well what happened the last time they were at Moses Mabhida in a cup competition. In the last game of the season last year, Chiefs were embarrassed 1-0 by NFD outfit TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final.
They do have a positive history at the stadium though and you can bet they will be looking to revive their good, old days of glory.