Chiefs aiming to keep run going
MACUFE CUP: SOLINAS’ MEN HAVE DOMINATED EVENT
Sibongiseni Gumbi
Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker wants his side to use tomorrow afternoon’s Macufe Cup match against Bloemfontein Celtic at Free State Stadium to get back to winning ways and boost their confidence.
Chiefs have dominated this annual competition and are expected to do the same again this year.
The match also provides a great way for Giovanni Solinas to test some of his players who have not seen much game time so far and also get in some match practice during the Fifa break.
Parker said they would have to continue their dominance to appease their fans. “As players we know what will make them happy, so we will do our best to ensure we win the match convincingly as we’ve done in the last few years.
“Most members of the team will travel for the match with the exception of those who are doing duty for their respective countries,” Parker said on the club’s website.
Chiefs might however face a second-string Celtic side in this match as the players in the team are unhappy over unpaid salaries and there were rumours they might not honour this fixture. Phunya Sele Sele have been plagued by a financial crisis over the past few months which has forced owner Max Tshabalala to put the club up for sale.
But if the players honour the fixture, the supporters will be in for a treat as both teams play attractive football, so the match should be free-flowing and entertaining.
“We know it’s a friendly match, but it’s important to do well and boost our confidence. We need more competitive matches of this nature to ensure we are fit and combat-ready for upcoming league engagements,” said Parker.
Amakhosi will be without six of their players who are on national team duty. Itumeleng Khune and Ramahlwe Mphahlele are with Bafana Bafana, Teenage Hadebe and Khama Billiat with Zimbabwe, Godfrey Walusimbi with Uganda and Virgil Vries with Namibia.
With both Khune and Vries not available, it will give a chance for either Bruce Bvuma or Brylon Petersen to show Solinas what they can do.