HARD GAME AHEAD
No easy task for Chiefs against Swallows
Defender hopes Amakhosi end three-match winless streak
Kaizer Chiefs hope to snap their three-game winless run in the league and boost their diminishing top-eight dream when they welcome an indifferent Swallows outfit to the FNB Stadium on Wednesday (5pm).
Chiefs are going into this Soweto derby on the back of two shock defeats to relegation candidates Chippa United (0-1) and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) (1-2).
In between these surprise losses, Amakhosi drew 2-all against Bloemfontein Celtic away.
The Glamour Boys last won a match by upsetting leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 away late in April.
Left-back Yagan Sasman knows the significance of beating the Birds if they are to achieve their top-eight ambition.
Even so, the 24-year-old fullback still expects a challenging match.
“The game is going to be difficult for us.
“Of course, it’s a Soweto derby and all derbies are difficult.
“The guys are hyped up because it’s a very important game for us; in fact, every game is important for us now because we need to win each and every game,” Sasman told Chiefs’ media department.
“Our goal is to make the top eight, so every three points is vital.
“Swallows have been doing well throughout the season.
“We know what to expect from them. We’re preparing well for the game.’’
Sasman has started one of the two league games he has featured in this term and the Cape Town-born defender admits the hardship of not featuring regularly has hurt in a way, highlighting the importance of supporting regulars when you are a fringe player.
“I have been in and out of the team. I haven’t always been playing this season.
“It’s been difficult, mentally as well, but we as players have been pushing each other on and off the field.
“If you’re not playing, you support the guys on the field.
“In training, you just try to improve and be ready for your next opportunity.’’
Meanwhile, a source close to Brighton Mhlongo said the goalkeeper was not ready to hang up his gloves despite TTM coach Dylan Kerr saying he would not play professional football again.
Kerr revealed Mhlongo’s career was as good as over when TTM were crowned the Nedbank Cup champions after beating Chippa United 1-0 in Bloemfontein at the weekend.
Mhlongo lost his eyesight partially after he was hit by a soccer ball during a training session in April, and the club took him to an eye specialist, who confirmed that his left eye was now functionally blind.
“The coach may have announced early, but he [Mhlongo] is still going to see another eye specialist.
“He believes he can still play football again,” the source said.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper declined to comment, saying he would do so only once TTM pronounced on his situation officially.
But a letter seen by the Sowetan confirmed the severity of Mhlongo’s eye injury, unequivocally saying “his left eye is functionally blind and surgery will not restore his sight”.
Kerr insisted that he had spo
The game is going to be difficult for us ... it’s a Soweto derby and all derbies are difficult
ken to Mhlongo about the possibility of not playing again, and after seeing the letter from the doctors, that was where it was clear that he might have to retire.
“As far as I know from his conversation with me and the speech he made before the game on Saturday, he is not going to play professional football again,” Kerr said on Tuesday. .
“He has seen two eye specialists, and as far as I’m aware, the injury is bad, and I think he has 10% vision in his [injured] eye now. ”