Leopards’ rise from the ashes worries Chiefs ahead of match

KAIZER Chiefs go into Saturday’s Absa Premiership match against Black Leopards more worried about the Limpopo outfit’s rise from the ashes this season.

Log leaders Chiefs welcome Leopards at Soccer City on Saturday in a clash where the two sides have promised their three-match unbeaten record will not fall.

Chiefs striker Lehlohonolo Majoro said they had raised the expectations of their supporters by starting the season with a bang.

“We have made it loud and clear that we mean business in terms of winning the league title,” he said.

“We can’t afford to disappoint after such an incredible season start. We plan to collect as many points now because the second round will be more difficult.”

On the game against Leopards, Majoro said: “Last season Leopards were struggling, fighting hard to avoid relegation.

“It’s no longer the same team. Leopards have been doing well this season and are still to taste defeat. We can’t underestimate them.

“They also want to maintain their unbeaten record and we have no plans to relinquish the top spot on the log.”

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is equally upbeat that his charges will do well against Leopards, who have signed their former player, Michael “Skaapie” Nkambule.

Confirming the acquisition of Nkambule, Leopards boss David Thidiela said: “He has massive international experience at junior level and also played in France. As for the game against Chiefs, I’m pretty confident we will do well.”

Chiefs may have to rotate the squad and leave out star winger Siphiwe Tshabalala for the Leopards clash, coach Baxter said yesterday.

Tshabalala was part of the Bafana Bafana travelling squad to Brazil for an international friendly last week, and also turned out in Tuesday night’s friendly against Mozambique in Nelspruit. Bafana ran out 2-0 winners against their Southern African neighbours, but Tshabalala appeared to have picked up a mild injur y.

While Baxter said the niggle was a concern, the severity of the injury had not yet been confirmed.

“I saw that Shabba [Tshabalala] went off with a knock, but how serious that is we don’t know,” the former national coach said.

“I’ll be looking at the national players when they come back and it’s possible we have to rotate and give one or two of them a bit of a rest.

“Maybe we have to rotate a little bit because maybe a couple of them are too tired to give us 100%.”

Meanwhile, the Chiefs boss was delighted to see his striker, Bernard Parker, bag both goals for Bafana at Mbombela Stadium.

“Bernard is just playing well at the moment,” Baxter said.

“He’s full of confidence, he’s sharp again and he’s not hesitant in his movement. – Sapa