Kaizer Chiefs will be out to bounce back from their first Absa Premiership loss of the season when they welcome Ajax Cape Town to FNB Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday evening.
Kick-off is at 7:30 pm.
The Amakhosi's 19-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-0 loss against SuperSport United in their last outing.
This though might prove a blessing in disguise. With the burden of an 'invincible' season now lifted, Stuart Baxter's men can make a final charge as they look to wrestle back the league title from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs may have lost their last league fixture, but the Glamour Boys did manage to win in the Nedbank Cup and in the Caf Champions League in the meantime. A Siyabonga Nkosi goal against Township Rollers in Gaborone secured their place in the first round of the continental showpiece.
Midfielder Mandla Masango believes the win in Botswana was a morale booster for the team and has urged the fans to flock to the stadium as they look to restore their lead atop the table to 10 points.
"Ajax won their last game and we lost our last match," Masango said.
"It is important for us to be professional and tackle each match with discipline and hunger. The same applies to the supporters, they must boost us by pitching up at the games.
"Our last game in the league [against SuperSport] belongs in the past tense. We are focusing on the future. We came out with a win in Botswana and that is a morale booster heading into the game against Ajax."
Urban Warriors head coach Roger De Sa insists that this might be the ideal time to take on Chiefs with the Soweto Derby looming and his troops coming off the back of a 2-0 win over Chippa United.
"Maybe this is the right time to play Chiefs," said De Sa.
“They’ve just been to Africa and it’s crunch-time for them in the league, but we know they still have a lot of quality.
“Some of their players might also have their eye on the Soweto Derby, which will be good for us,” he added. “They might also rest a few key players and also some players who are on three yellows to make sure they are available for the derby."
Tsepo Masilela, Willard Katsande, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siboniso Gaxa are all one booking away from missing the game against Orlando Pirates.
In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Ajax have met in 31 league matches since 1999/2000.
The Amakhosi have 13 wins compared to nine for the Urban Warriors, while nine matches have been drawn.
Chiefs have won nine of their 15 home matches against Ajax, suffering two defeats in the process.
When the teams met earlier this season, a Tefu Mashamaite goal handed the Amakhosi a 1-0 win in Cape Town.
No comments:
Post a Comment
drop your comment about your football hero, their fashion style, like who dresses most, who drink most ,who hang out most like going to club , who plays with woman most and so on