Will the real Chiefs pitch up against Richards Bay?
KAIZER Chiefs, still reeling from a humiliating defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend, might be heading to their next challenge in Richards Bay FC under more pressure to win than they did against the defending champions.
Amakhosi are in the fourth week of the season under the stewardship of coach Arthur Zwane. However, a lot of factors about the make-up of this Chiefs team have already come under scrutiny, such is the nature of turning out for one of the most followed clubs on the continent.
The Naturena-based club might have faced the strongest team in the division in Sundowns but even with their continued rebuild, they are still expected to beat every opponent they meet, more especially a newly promoted side.
Chiefs were understandably out of their depth against a Sundowns team 10 years in dominance with a higher degree in quality, a built-in chemistry nurtured over years and tactical understanding. But Richards Bay are the opposite.
The Kwazulu-natal side have begun life in the top flight brightly and head into this encounter with Chiefs top of the Dstv Premiership after claiming two victories and a draw in their opening three games.
Their good form is expected to take a knock at some point and it is against sides like Chiefs where they’re expected to receive reality checks of playing at the top level, which inadvertently shines the spotlight on the Amakhosi. Zwane admitted that his side were nowhere near their level in terms of performance in their last match and felt his boys were flat and just didn’t come to the party. These are characteristics they cannot allow to cripple them when they face a
Natal Rich Boyz outfit still adjusting to their recruitment of new faces as well. The club’s plea for patience amongst their radical fans prior to the commencement of the season was granted with unspoken terms and conditions, fitting the historical prestige of Chiefs.
The Glamour Boys are the undisputed “Cup Kings” of South African football and any player that dons the black and gold regalia of the club is expected to make a telling contribution towards the club’s success and this season is no different. Although it’s early days, Chiefs languish in the bottom half of the log, a position they’ll look to work their way out of with matches coming in heavily in a tightly scheduled first half of the season.
Chiefs’ next five league fixtures are Richards Bay, a struggling Cape Town City, an Amazulu side with a lot of new faces, a lacklustre Marumo Gallants and youthful Supersport United – all games they will head into as favourites, and with continuous pressure if performances and results don’t come forth.
Over the course of the last three games, Zwane has seen both positive and negative nature of his squad, both personality wise and in terms of tactical adaptation.
They have shown desire to
overwhelm teams with their pressing strategies at times, but have also been found wanting in their returns in front of goal.
Amakhosi’s game this Saturday isn’t only of high significance in terms of points and moving up the table but also presents an opportunity to cancel out an ever growing aura of frustration amongst the club’s supporters.
They have a good record at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, but Richards Bay will be a tricky customer to plan against as they are an unknown entity motivated by a positive start in top flight football. Kick-off is 7.30pm. smiso.msomi@inl.co.za