With much still to play for in the DStv Premiership season, Amakhosi are fully conscious of the importance of Saturday’s DStv Premiership game against Golden Arrows, taking place at Soccer City at 19h30.

Chiefs and Arrows are meeting for the first time this season, after their clashes in the last campaign produced nine goals over two games. The first match ended 2-2 in Durban, while Chiefs won the corresponding fixture 3-2 at home.

Lebogang Manyama proved to be Chiefs’ hero in their home game against Arrows last term, as he scored a hattrick to take his goal tally against Arrows for Chiefs to four goals.

Such is the feisty, entertaining nature of this clash that there is no time to blink and since the sides first meetings in 2001 games against Arrows have thrown up particularly interesting scorelines and results, with Chiefs mostly emerging on top.

Amakhosi defender Daniel Cardoso is well aware of the physical challenges of facing Arrows.

“They have young, hungry players who want to prove a point against Chiefs. It has been like that over the years when we have faced them. As they go longer in a game, they get more composed. We cannot allow them to gain confidence,” said the experienced Cardoso.

Cardoso is optimistic that Chiefs can make it three wins in a row as they come into this game on the back of wins against Baroka and Orlando Pirates and on a four-game unbeaten run in league games.

“We are on a good run which has helped us gain confidence. There is no option for us to drop points. The guys are aware of the pressure on us, but as a big team, we have to deal with it. We are positive that we can continue our good run. If we can end off in second spot ahead of the FIFA recess it puts us in a strong position and with games in hand. There will be plenty for us to play for,” says the stalwart Chiefs central defender.

Should Cardoso and his teammates cast an eye on the recent history between the teams, which began in the 2000-01 campaign they would be aware that in the 40 previous league clashes between the teams, Chiefs have an edge, having won 21 of these games, with 11 draws and 8 Arrows victories.

On the 20 occasions when Chiefs have hosted Arrows, Amakhosi have won 12 games, with five draws and the visitors winning three.

While Arrows in their current guise began competing with Amakhosi on the field in the current century when they entered the DStv Premiership in 2000-01, Chiefs did face Lamontville Golden Arrows as far back as 1971.

It was Chiefs who triumphed 2-1 away from home on the 29^th May 1971, with Ace Ntsoelengoe scoring a brace.

Currently, though, Chiefs are on a five-game unbeaten run against Arrows in league games (W2 D3). At home, Chiefs have gone eight games without losing in a league clash to Arrows and have won their last two home league games against them (W5 D3).