This is because Mkhonza comes from nearby Kwa- Thema on the East Rand as it is known, called this because of its geographical location from the Johannesburg CBD. The game against Benoni Premier United holds another special challenge for Siphiwe Mkhonza as one of his best mates, Tshepo Masilela, is the star of Chiefs opposition on Sunday.

Siphiwe took time off to talk to kaizerchiefs.com on all issues relating to Chiefs second game of the 2006 – 2007 season against Benoni Premier United.

KC.COM: Siphiwe you looking forward to this Sunday’s game against Benoni Premier United particularly, taking into account the fact the you hail from the ‘East Rand’ and also you have a number of friends in the opposition team:

Siphiwe Mkhonza: You know I really never looked at the fact that since I have joined Chiefs and returned to Gauteng from Durban that I have not played a PSL game close to home. So it is a special thing for me to be playing a game on the East Rand, you know to me it really does not matter where we are playing should I play I will have to play at my best.

On second thought thinking about it I will have to be play extra well because there will be a number of people from my neighbourhood at the game and if I make any bloopers I will hear about it for a long time to come.

KC.COM: You got a chance to see Benoni Premier United’s first game of the season against Ajax Cape Town. What did you make of their performance in that game?

SM: Firstly I must say that I was really taken aback by the way they pushed Ajax all the way to the end and even though they were a goal down they played to the whistle so to speak, and were justly rewarded for their efforts.

Looking at the fact that they are new comers to the league they did not show any nerves or any signs of stress, they did not give their opponents any respect and did not stand on ceremony as they really put up a fight in that game against Ajax.

KC.COM: What should Chiefs be on the look out for during the game and in particularly what factors do we need to be wary of against Benoni?

SM: The first thing is that we should not go there thinking that we already have the three points, we know that we can win the game but we must go there level headed and be prepared to work for victory, which I again say I think is achievable on Sunday.

We need not take our opposition for granted and when we do take the lead we should not sit back but instead we must go at them and try and find another goal or two and finish off the game. Like we saw in the Ajax game that if you allow them the space and time they will come back at you, so when opportunities do come our way we need to put them away, there really is no pressure on them to win the game the pressure is on us.

KC.COM: What do you think are some of the strong points of their game?

SM: They have a very quick short passing game with guys moving all round and into space very quickly, living up to their name the Rabbits, if you give them the opportunity they can move around you at rapid speed. Generally they have a young ambitious team so they do not tire easily and as I have already said that they play for ninety minutes and this stems from the fact that they have a youthful team.

KC.COM: Is there any aspect of their game which we could exploit to our advantage?

SM: If there is one thing that will work in our favour that is that we have more experience than them at this level and we need to make that count.

Experience plays a key role in these kinds of matches because our team has been playing at this level for a while, the stadium will in all probability be filled to capacity on Sunday and I do not think that many of their players have played in front of a crowd that is supporting your opposition.

This is where our experience will come in handy and we must use our numerical advantage in the stands to help us, the fans can play a major role in urging a team on with the fans behind us we will have an extra ace up our sleeves.

KC.COM: To end off have you spoken to your friend Tshepo Masilela from Benoni United, has he given you his plans for the game?

SM: I have had a couple of words with him and the only thing he keeps on going on about is that he feels that they can beat us, if they are so confident then we need to be aware that Sunday’s game will be tougher then we expect.

He is one of their key players and as the underdogs they are aiming to cause an upset, the thing is that we know how the so called minnows play when they meet us, it is like a cup final for them and we will have to douse their fires early on.