New partner does not worry defender
BACK FOUR: CARDOSO NOT WORRIED ABOUT NEW DEFENSIVE PARTNER
In Maritzburg Utd, Chiefs face opponents high on confidence and capable of a major upset.
Daniel Cardoso is not worried that he will be partnered up with someone he hasn’t played with in official games this season when Kaizer Chiefs host Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit tomorrow afternoon. Amakhosi are the favourites to beat the Team of Choice and advance to the final of the Telkom Knockout
where they will meet either Mamelodi Sundowns or Golden Arrows, who play each other this afternoon in the other semifinals match.
Cardoso’s partner in the Amakhosi central defence this season, Erick Mathoho is suspended for tomorrow’s game after receiving a red card in the Soweto derby two weeks ago. But Cardoso said that shouldn’t really have an impact on their performance as it is a matter of ‘copy and paste’.
“Everyone is ready to play. Everyone will put up their hand up for the positions. It’s an opportunity for someone to step in. It is unfortunate that Mathoho is suspended as I felt we had a good bond and were playing very well together. But we have the likes of Lorenzo Gordinho and Yagan Sasman. We have cover in all positions.
“And we do the same things in games that we do here at training. When we played Chippa United (in a league game) we made eight changes and it didn’t really affect us. As long as we stick to our game plan, I think everything will be fine,” said Cardoso.
In Maritzburg, Chiefs have an opponent capable of causing a major upset and who will be high on confidence having been on a good run of results of late. Eric Tinkler’s team have not lost in their last seven matches.
“It’s not going to be an easy game,” admitted Cardoso. “Maritzburg are a good side. They have very good players. They have players like Siyanda Xulu, Jeremie Brockie and Dylan Classen who are very high-profile players.
“But if we carry on doing what we have been doing, we will go to the final. We are one step away and we want to be in the final. It’s another chance to win silverware. We haven’t brought any silverware to the club for quite some time now.
“We are in a positive mood. With the football we have been playing we have been winning games – only lost one – and hopefully we can continue with that run,” said the 30-year-old who is yet to win anything since joining Chiefs four years ago.
Maritzburg’s veteran defender, Nazeer Allie, said they will not put themselves under too much pressure going into the game. “It’s a semifinal and it could go either way,” Allie said this week. “We have to go out there and enjoy it because if you are not enjoying it then you are playing under stress. So, there is no pressure. For me it is just about going out there and playing without any fear.