SuperSport United host Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday evening in their second Absa Premiership match of the season. “If we show the same character as against Ajax Cape Town, we can win,” stresses Amakhosi’s Jeffrey Ntuka. The match will be played at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium (kick-off is at 7.30pm).

Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinal on Saturday. The return will be on Sunday in Johannesburg. It will therefore be a tough week for the Amakhosi, as they need a result on Tuesday against SuperSport United to not get too far behind in the title race.

Chiefs achieved a goalless draw in their first Absa Premiership at home against Santos, while SuperSport drew 1-1 away to Maritzburg United.

“Our focus is on the SuperSport match at present,” reacts Amakhosi’s versatile player Jeffrey Ntuka, who can play at right-back, centre-back, central midfield and on the right wing. “The Ajax game will come later. First up is the SuperSport encounter. We fought hard against Ajax and showed a lot of character, despite losing 1-0. If we can show that same character against SuperSport, we can win.”

Ntuka joined Chiefs in January from Belgium side Westerlo. He struggled a bit early on due to some injuries, but Ntuka has been doing very well so far this season. On his favourite position, he says: “I can play anywhere the coach wants me.” Mostly, Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has used Ntuka as a centre-back during pre-season, but against Ajax the 24-year-old player came on as a substitute for the injured central midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha, doing well in the holding role.

The Zimbabwean may, however, return for the SuperSport match, although Chiefs may also want to save Nengomasha for the all-important match against Ajax on Sunday. Striker Nkosinathi Nhleko, who missed the Ajax encounter due to flu, will return to the squad for Tuesday’s match against last season’s league champions.

On Wednesday, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will face each other. “That’s another reason why a win against SuperSport would be so great,” adds Ntuka, “because it would mean that we would go to the top of the log standings and, as a result, put pressure on Pirates and Sundowns.”

The Amakhosi enjoyed a great pre-season, winning the Eastern Cape Premier’s Cup, by beating SuperSport in the final, and the Vodacom Challenge thanks to a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final. Vermezovic has his team playing full of energy and in an attacking spirit.