Posted in News on Aug 12, 2011.
The Amakhosi missed out on the title by a solitary point last season and will be aware that picking up three points in their opening fixture can count for a lot at seasons end in May, so beginning with a win will be foremost on the mind of Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic and his charges.
Cosmos promotion back to the PSL after they spent the past season in the National First Division means that Chiefs will be involved in four derby games against Johannesburg teams, three of them in the opening weeks of the season with games as against Moroka Swallows and BIDVest Wits to follow.
Opening Day
In the previous 14 PSL seasons Chiefs have had a good time on the opening day of a new season, winning 9 drawing 3 and losing just 2 games since the PSL was inaugurated in 1996 – 1997. Co-incidentally Chiefs first game in the PSL era on match day 1 of the 1996 – 1997 season was against Cosmos, the Amakhosi prevailed on that occasion winning the game 1-0 thanks to a lone Thabang Lebese goal.
Chiefs in addition to Cosmos Chiefs have played one other Johannesburg team BIDVest Wits in the first game of a new campaign and also won that match 1-0 which was back in 2000 – 2001 , the Amakhosi’s 14 opening PSL games have produced 31 goals at an average 2.43 goals per game with Chiefs scoring 25 of those goals.
Chiefs have previously opened up the season at home on six occasions and won 3, drew 1 and lost 2 of these encounters. Under current coach Vladimir Vermezovic Chiefs have lost 1 one and drawn their other opening day fixture, last seasons opening day goalless draw is Chiefs only goalless stalemate on the opening day of a PSL season.
The history
Chiefs and Cosmos have a rivalry heading into its third decade, having first squared off in 1985. Given the cross town rivalry clashes between the sides have been fierce and there have been a plethora of red cards shown in this fixture.
When Cosmos were last in the PSL two seasons ago the two league clashes between the sides produced seven goals with Chiefs winning 2-1 on the road, and were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Jomo Sono’s men.
The Amakhosi have a better away record against Cosmos having notched up 11 victories on the road against Esenkozi in 47 league games, while winning just 8 at home, Chiefs last managed a home league win against Cosmos in October 2003, chiefs assistant coach Arthur Zwane grabbed the game’s only goal in a 1-0 Chiefs win. Chiefs have drawn their last five home league meetings games against them. Of the 47 previous league clashes between the sides Chiefs have won 19, Cosmos 7 and 21 games have ended in a draw.
