Posted in News on Oct 21, 2014.
Kaizer Chiefs will look to continue their winning ways in the Absa Premiership when they face Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 22 October 2014, kick-off at 19h30.
Coach Stuart Baxter remains cautiously optimistic despite his team’s recent record-breaking performances.
"Swallows are having a bit of turmoil in their nest. And sometimes that sort of turmoil can become useful to the team. They could come out gelling well as a result of a new thinking and a new voice. The players could be galvanized by the change. So we are aware it will not be a walk in a park, it's going to be a battle." Baxter was referring to the former Coach Zeca Marques flying out of the bird's nest this week.
Chiefs are unbeaten since the start of the season and their last win was against Ajax Cape Town 1-0 away over the weekend.
Baxter is adamant, no talk of records, he says, "We are not even talking about the records. We try to keep our feet on the ground. Records don't win games, preparation does."
The Soweto giants have beaten all their visitors this season with Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport United, University of Pretoria and Maritzburg United all falling to the sword.
Baxter maintains his stance, "Visitors must know and feel they are visitors. We want to maintain our winning record at home."
Chiefs go into the clash placed first on the Absa Premiership log with 24 points from eight matches. The Birds are placed 12th on the Absa Premiership log with nine points from eight matches.
Baxter is modest and expresses humility in response, he says, "Their performance is better than their results. We need to be hundred percent prepared against them. They have good players and they have always given us a hard time."
In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Swallows have met in 59 league matches since 1985.
The Amakhosi have three times as many wins as the Birds (33 versus 11), while 15 of the teams’ matches have ended in draws.
Chiefs have won 17 of their 30 home matches against Swallows, suffering five defeats in the process.
Last season the Amakhosi took four points off their Soweto rivals, drawing 1-1 at home before claiming a 2-0 away win in the return match.
"We come off a big game in Cape Town. We have one day to recoup and one day to prepare for Swallows. We are just working on the freshness of the players. We will be ready and once again we will take it one day at the time," Baxter was talking to us after taking his charges through the pre-match training session.