“We have to recover from last weekend’s result and keep focused on our job against SuperSport United,” Steve Komphela reflects ahead of tonight’s match against Matsatsantsa. “This game is going to be more about mental strength than anything else.”

Amakhosi will host SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 23 November (kick-off is at 19:30).

“Several of their players have donned the Gold and Black jersey in recent years,” says Komphela, referring to Matsatsantsa players like Reneilwe Letshlonyane, Reyaad Pieterse, Morgan Gould, Onismor Bhasera, Keagan Ritchie and Kingston Nkhatha. “Not forgetting their coach, Stuart Baxter, who was the previous Kaizer Chiefs coach - I worked with him at the national team. Tonight’s match is going to be emotionally charged.”

Amakhosi suffered a 1-2 away loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, while Matsatsantsa collected a point away at Baroka FC.

“We’ve moved on from that storm,” comments Komphela. “After a storm there is calmness, and I was happy to see that the lads are looking sharp in training and ready for the big game. I hope to see that same positive mentality tonight.”

Records show that in the 2015/16 Absa Premiership, Amakhosi collected maximum points against the Tshwane-based outfit, with an away 1-4 win and a 2-1 home victory with George Maluleka and William Twala scoring the goals. Baxter was in charge of SuperSport for that last match.

The two teams occupy fourth and fifth place respectively on the league table with only a point separating them. Matsantsantsa have sixteen points, while the Amakhosi are a point adrift on fifteen points.

Komphela confirmed the injury of William Twala, while Sibusiso Khumalo, who sustained a light injury during the Sundowns match, trained with the team and will have a late fitness test.

“I’m extremely optimistic,” concludes the Chiefs coach on a high note. “We will win this match.”

Tickets for the match between Chiefs and SuperSport are sold at Computicket for R40.