Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Amakhosi set for ‘mother of all shows’ in the city
Key battles
NOTHING less than victory will suffice for Kaizer Chiefs when they finish off their Mother City adventure with a PSL fixture against SuperSport United at Cape Town Stadium tonight (kickoff 8.15pm).
With the Soweto club trailing runaway log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, a win and the concomitant three points today is crucial if Amakhosi are to stay in touch.
But it’ll be a really tough challenge against SuperSport, with the clash liberally spiced up by the presence of former Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter in the opposing dugout.
Baxter has only recently returned to the top-flight, to replace Gordon Igesund in charge of the Pretoria club, and he certainly knows what makes Chiefs tick. After all, he was the coach who transformed their game and turned the team into the formidable unit it currently is.
The Glamour Boys, the country’s most popular and best supported football club, decided this season to bring their brand to the Mother City. They have a large, loyal following in the Cape, which is why they brought three of their “home” games to the city.
Chiefs have had mixed fortunes so far – a win over Wits in December last year and a defeat to Platinum Stars last month. Taking that into consideration, tonight’s match adds even greater pressure on Amakhosi. If they lose to SuperSport tonight, then surely, from a results point of view, the Cape sojourn would be a failure.
“We are looking forward to wrap up the final leg,” said Chiefs marketing director Jessica Motaung. “Cape Town showed us love in the two matches that we have already played and, this being the finale of the three matches planned this season, surely all roads and flights will be leading to Cape Town this weekend?
“The stage is set for the mother of all shows, considering the ingredients that make up this match. SuperSport are coached by our former coach (Baxter), which should be interesting for the fans.”
When Baxter departed Chiefs last year, he was replaced by Steve Komphela, who has done an admirable job in filling the big shoes of the LORENZO GORDINHO V JEREMY BROCKIE RISING Chiefs defender Gordinho is the flavour of the PSL. The young Benoni-born footballer has warmed himself to the Amakhosi faithful with some consistent, top-class performances. But in facing SuperSport striker Brockie tonight, he comes up against an opponent who will fully test his ability. The Pretoria club’s New Zealand forward has been the scourge of PSL defences and tonight will be no different. Gordinho will have to shackle Brockie, or else Chiefs’ defence could be in for a torrid time indeed. WILLARD KATSANDE V DEAN FURMAN KATSANDE is the heart and soul of Chiefs. He makes the Soweto side tick; he bosses the middle of the park, tackling, scheming and passing. When the Zimbabwean dominates, invariably Chiefs go on to win. But in SuperSport’s Furman, Katsande is up against a really daunting opponent. Camps Bay-born Furman has played most of his career in England, but returned to play in South Africa for the first time when he signed for Matsatsantsa last year.
He is still finding his feet in the PSL, but is slowly getting there. This fixture is the ideal stage for Furman to stamp his class on the domestic game. CAMALDINE ABRAW V CLAYTON DANIELS TOGOLESE forward Abraw has been in sensational form for Chiefs, netting some vital goals in recent weeks. He’s a tough, powerful customer who gives defenders a hard time. He’s not content to just wait for passes from teammates – he’s a player who hassles defenders and never stops running. But SuperSport’s Daniels won’t be intimidated.
In fact, the uncompromising central defender from Bishop Lavis is among the most pugnacious characters in the PSL. Of all the clashes on the field, this one could be the most interesting. REYAAD PIETERSE V RONWEN WILLIAMS WHILE the goalkeepers won’t physically be battling against each other on the field, the result of this fixture could well depend on who has the better night in goal. With so much attacking talent on both teams, there are sure to be scoring opportunities aplenty, which is why the reliability and consistency of the goalkeeper will be crucial to the victory.
In Chiefs’ Pieterse and SuperSport’s Williams, two of the country’s most promising young custodians will be on display. Pieterse is deputising for regular No 1 Itumeleng Khune, but he has been brilliant in the Bafana Bafana man’s absence. Williams hardly ever has a bad game and tonight’s clash is an ideal opportunity for the SuperSport shot-stopper to prove that he deserves more recognition at national level. British coach.
“We are enjoying a winning streak (it’s four-in-row at the moment) and we would like to keep the momentum,” said Komphela. “We are taking each game as it comes … we are not looking ahead of ourselves. We have our eyes firmly focused on the job against SuperSport.
“We are looking forward to a great match against a tough opposition.”
While tonight’s tactical clash between Baxter and Komphela would probably be worth the entrance fee alone, there are a number of other interesting and intriguing duels set to take place.