Home advantage will be vital for Amakhosi

KAIZER Chiefs have four important league matches at home at the FNB Stadium in Joohannesburg in coming weeks that could give them a slight edge over their title rivals as the PSL campaign enters its business end.

Amakhosi will be fighting for the 12 precious home points on the table during the period

Coach Steve Komphela’s charges will not have to worry about leaving their home base when they host Cape Town City‚ Bloemfontein Celtic‚ Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu.

City‚ Celtic and AmaZulu will travel to the FNB Stadium, while the Soweto Derby against Pirates hardly qualifies as an away fixture as it will be played at Amakhosi’s home ground.

Chiefs‚ fourth on the standings‚ host Benni McCarthy’s City‚ who are sitting one place below them‚ on Saturday.

Komphela’s charges hope to put pressure on rivals Pirates and Free State Stars.

Four-time league-winning coach Gordon Igesund said the four consecutive matches at home gave Amakhosi an advantage.

They had to capitalise on the situation fully because it might turn out to be an unwanted burden if they fail to get the desired results.

“Having four consecutive matches at home at this critical stage of the season is an advantage to any team, but it may turn into a nightmare if the results don’t come your way‚” Igesund said.

“They don’t have to travel like other teams.

“That could make things a little bit easier.

“But‚ the most important thing is that there are no guarantees – they could drop points even [when] playing at home.”

Igesund said Komphela would possibly target at least 10 points from the 12 on the table and put Sundowns‚ Pirates and Free State Stars under pressure.

Chiefs go into this period on the back of an unbeaten run of five matches in the league after beating Polokwane City and Baroka FC‚ and then drawing with Bidvest Wits‚ Sundowns and SuperSport United.

Chiefs’ next league matches: February 17: Chiefs v Cape Town City (FNB Stadium) February 24: Chiefs v Celtic (FNB Stadium) March 3: Pirates v Chiefs (FNB Stadium) March 17: Chiefs v AmaZulu (FNB Stadium)