“All the games are difficult,” insists Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter. Amakhosi will visit Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership clash at Pietermaritzburg's Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday, 11 March (kick-off at 19:30).

Baxter is cautious in his approach: “We shouldn’t underestimate the mental challenge of this kind of game.”

Chiefs are involved in back-to-back games in three different competitions: CAF Champions League, Nedbank Cup and the Absa Premiership. “We came from a Champions League match before playing the Derby over the weekend,” continues Baxter. “All over the world teams struggle to get their best performances after a Derby.”

Amakhosi are going into the match as table toppers with 51 points from 22 outings, while the Team of Choice are placed 10th on the Absa Premiership log with 24 points from 21 matches.

“We will make some changes,” hints Baxter. “We want to bring in fresh legs and keep the motivation high in the team.”

“Traditionally, Maritzburg has proven to be difficult opponents to play against,” Baxter looks at Steve Komphela’s side, though Amakhosi have seven wins compared to four for United. Six matches have been drawn in the 17 league encounters the two teams played since the 2005/6 season.

When the teams met earlier this season in Soweto, a Mandla Masango goal handed Amakhosi a narrow 1-0 win.

Chiefs go into this match with a full squad, free from medical room activity. The Glamour Boys headed for KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday afternoon.