“Before the Fifa break we lost in the Telkom Cup, which happened after having taken penalties, which is always a bit unfortunate,” reflects Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela on losing out to Free State Stars in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal.

“Cup competitions are a sprint and when luck desserts you on the day, you just have to move on and do so very quickly.”

Amakhosi pay today a visit to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld. Kickoff is at 15:30.

“We have now played seven games in the league without a loss,” says Komphela about Chiefs’ relatively good run in the Absa Premiership. “We have done our homework for the Sundowns match and we plan to continue with our present league form.”

Chiefs played to a goalless draw against Baroka FC in their last league fixture when several missed chances summed up the proceedings on the day. "We just have to soldier on and work hard to turn the chances that we create into goals,” the Amakhosi coach comments.

The Glamour Boys are in third position on the league table with SuperSport United occupying second spot, with only goal difference separating the two teams after eight games played. The Brazilians are second from the bottom after having played only three games.

“The league is a marathon,” Komphela concludes. “We are taking it one step at the time. But also, we know how much this game means to our supporters - we never forget that aspect when we walk on the pitch.”

Statistically, there is little to separate the two sides in their last 10 matches: Downs have won four, Amakhosi three, with three draws.