Chiefs have an eye on the prize
WAFA WAFA: REACHING FINAL VITAL BECAUSE ‘AMAKHOSI NEED TROPHIES’
Solinas’ side can’t afford to be vunerable at back again against SuperSport tonight.
Kaizer Chiefs’ chances in the MTN8 are very much on a knife edge as they host SuperSport United tonight in the second leg of their semifinal at FNB Stadium.
The two drew 2-2 in the first leg last weekend, which gives Amakhosi a slight advantage, knowing a goalless draw or a 1-1 draw, as well as a victory of course, will put them into the final.
“It’s a difficult game,” admitted Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas. “We start with a small advantage because we scored two goals away. But the game is not over because SuperSport play better away than at home. They are strong but for us it is like a World Cup final. It is a crucial game.”
Amakhosi had little recovery time to prepare for this match, as they played to another 2-2 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership match at FNB Stadium in midweek, but Solinas used the little time they had to ensure his side give a winning performance tonight.
“Time is our enemy. We could not train on Thursday because the players had to rest.
“But that is no excuse, we need to get to the final because the club needs the trophies and the MTN8 is first our target,” said the Italian mentor.
Amakhosi came under criticism this week after they twice failed to manage a game and ended up drawing games they could have won. Solinas however insisted that he wants his team to attack.
“We are not a team who manage the result,” he said. “We need to play good football and try to score (more) goals.
“In our attacking football we use a lot of players. That is a minimum seven players because we have four players in front and attack with one midfielder which is normally (Siphelele) Ntshangase. Our full backs also add there ... it is seven players in attack.
“It’s normal that when the ball is lost, we need defensive and immediate reaction because we lose our balance.
“We need to improve in that aspect,” admitted Solinas. Amakhosi have been sharp upfront with Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro leading the attack while Ntshangase has chipped in with some telling passes.
But in SuperSport, Chiefs meet a side who are also sharp, winning three of their four league matches, with Evans Rusike and Bradley Grobler in good form. If Solinas’ side are as vulnerable as they have been at the back they could suffer the terrible consequences.
Kick-off: 8.15pm.