“We really want our supporters to attend the match in numbers,” Lucky Baloyi stresses ahead of Kaizer Chiefs’ home game against Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 6 February (kick-off is at 18:00).

“The fans give us moral support,” the midfielder adds, “the bigger the crowd, the bigger the drive to excel.”

Kaizer Chiefs are at present in fourth position on the Absa Premiership log, having collected 29 points from 17 games. The Team of Choice are down at the bottom of the log with only eight points from 16 matches.

According to Baloyi the present Absa Premiership log standings don’t say much about the outcome of Saturday’s encounter: “Maritzburg will be fighting for their life. They also have a new coach. It means that we have to fight as well, because it’s not going to be an easy game.”

Baloyi is not too worried about Amakhosi being ten points behind present league log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns: “The second round of the league has just started, anything can still happen.”

Erick Mathoho and Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane will be suspended for Saturday’s fixture. This might open up a chance for Baloyi to play against Maritzburg.

The 24-year-old midfielder has started in four league matches this season, coming on in two.

“It’s up to the coach to decide who will start,” Baloyi points out, before mentioning how much he has learnt from Letsholonyane, who plays more or less in the same position. “Yeye guides me and he has taught me a lot.”

Chiefs have scored 24 league goals in 17 matches. However, only five were scored in the five matches played so far in 2016.

Baloyi is not too worried about those statistics: “Of course, our finishing has to improve. We rush it a bit when getting in good goal scoring positions. The good thing, however, is that we have created a lot of chances in recent games. That’s crucial. If we continue doing that, the goals will come.”

The tickets for the Chiefs-Maritzburg encounter are on sale at R40 at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide. Tickets for children under the age of 12 cost R10 (as long as stock lasts). And, please don’t forget to buy your parking tickets (R35).