Posted in News on Jan 27, 2003.
In their last 10 encounters Santos have managed only one league victory against Amakhosi - an emphatic 4-2 win in their first round clash in the 1998-99 season.
The Cape side has also battled to rattle the Chiefs net with just six goals in 10 matches while the Glamour Boys enjoy a record of five victories and four draws in 10 matches.
Amakhosi will be on a high as they jet into Cape Town to come face to face with their former coach Ertugral for the first time since he joined the People’s Team, and the temperamental one will definitely have a point to prove against his students - Khumalo and Khuse.
Chiefs remain unbeaten in 11 matches, although they probably got the fright on their lives against SuperSport United over the weekend. They snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw in a match they appeared to have lost until an 87th minute intervention by Congolese Kabamba Musasa.
Many would argue that Ertugral has valuable inside information about Chiefs and that this should give him the upper hand as he attempts to secure his first victory since taking over at Santos.
The former Chiefs coach was not particularly happy when his three-year marriage with the Naturena side ended, and he will be eagar to put one past his old team.
But a surprise could be in store for Santos and their new coach as Doctor Khumalo and Donald Khuse - both former understudies to Ertugral - have turned things around for the Glamour Boys. The two have produced results despite the unavailability of top stars like Jabu Pule, Arthur Zwane, Nhlanhla Kubeka and lately Cyril Nzama.
In the absence of their stars, Khumalo and Khuse have managed to get the best out of the rest. Development youngster Buti Sithole is now commanding a regular place in the Amakhosi line-up.
Zimbabwean under-23 international Kelvin Mushangazhike - a regular benchwarmer during the reign of Ertugral - has also been given a new lease of life with the elevation of Khumalo and Khuse into the hot seat, while defender Martin Carelse was given his first Chiefs appearance against United.
And under Khumalo and Khuse Amakhosi players enjoy freedom of expression with the ball and they have also been potent in front of goal, netting a total of 17 in 11 matches, while also solid at the back with five goals conceded in the same number of games.
But the team has not escaped criticism in their good run as they were criticised for lack of tactical discipline, a weakness upon which Santos could capitalise. The People’s Team has already shown signs of improvement under Ertugral and were unlucky in their 1-0 loss to Bush Bucks following some inept refereeing.
Victory for Amakhosi will push them to fourth on the log and anything less will leave them in sixth. Ertugral’s men will move to ninth should they overcome Amakhosi.
Past results
2001-02
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Santos
Santos 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs
2000-01
Santos 1-1 Chiefs
Chiefs 1-1 Santos
1999-2000
Chiefs 3-1 Santos
Santos 1-1 Chiefs
1998-99
Santos 4-2 Chiefs
Chiefs 2-1 Santos
1997-98
Santos 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Santos
