Posted in News on Nov 26, 2010.
Unlike when they were defeated 1-0 by Vasco’s city rivals Santos during a league game on the 10th of November, Chiefs will be hoping to navigate past Vasco and pick up a win which could should results elsewhere work out favourably for the Amakhosi see them move to the summit of the league table.
With the Telkom Knockout Cup a week away Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has let it be known that the Amakhosi are not thinking about the December 4 final against their Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates and are solely thinking about this Saturday’s encounter.
For Chiefs the stakes could not be higher a week away from the final they have the chance to see their league ambitions take flight, as win will help them keep the pressure on current league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs according Vermezovic will be going all out to ensure that they do not take their eye off the ball and slip on the proverbial banana peel, failure to collect the full compliment of points could see them drop further behind Sundowns who are currently one point ahead of Chiefs on the league table.
Heading into the game Chiefs have switched from the Rand Stadium to the FNB Stadium which a few short months ago hosted the FIFA World Cup Final, having won their last game at the same stadium against Pirates a fortnight ago the Amakhosi will be hopeful that their luck at the Calabash continues on Saturday evening.
Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has said that he would be resting the likes of Itumeleng Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala for the visit of Vasco, the incoming players will be looking to use the chance to impress and will be looking to use the opportunity to claim a place in the squad for the Telkom Knockout Cup Final.
Vermezovic has been boosted this week by the availability of left back Zhaimu Jambo, who resumed regular training after injuring his knee during the 1-0 loss to Santos earlier this month.
Having won four of their last five competitive games in League and Cup action Chiefs will be aiming to continue that run, and win the first encounter between them and Vasco Da Gama.
The last time Chiefs played a newly promoted team from Cape Town in a league game was during the 1998 – 1999 season, when they faced the now defunct Seven Stars who teemed up with Cape Town Spurs to form Ajax Cape Town at the end of that season.