Two reasons for Chiefs to beat Pirates
Two reasons for Chiefs to beat Pirates

Posted in News on Jun 07, 2001.

Kaizer Chiefs have a double reason to beat Orlando Pirates on Saturday - to finish second on the Castle Premier League log and to compensate their fans for losing the league championship.

So says Chiefs assistant coach Steve Komphela. "We cannot go for

the main one because it is gone but we have to maximise whatever we

have to ensure we finish as runners-up.

"Because of the rivalry between the two teams our supporters will

forgive us for losing out on the league title to Pirates after

coming so close. It will also be an incentive to beat them," he

said on Thursday.

"There were games when we just donated points to other teams but

the guys know we cannot afford to do that on Saturday."

The two sides meet in a Castle Premiership replay at the FNB

Stadium in a game which is a double header with the Bobsave

Superbowl final.

Komphela believes they can also use this game as a practise match

for the Vodacom challenge. "We could meet each other in the

challenge and if we can beat them now we will believe we can do it

again."

Cyril Nzama is a doubtful starter and Siyabonga Nomvete, who had a

bruise on his knee has recovered.

Although Pirates have already won the league they are still

treating this as a crucial encounter and head coach Gordon Igesund

said they were not going to relax.

"It is a vital game for us, I know that it has been dubbed a

friendly because we are already the champions and that is the

reason why it is so important.

"We have to behave like champions and finish on a high note.

Besides which, this is not just any team we are playing. It is

Chiefs and there's pride at stake."

Igesund, who will be without six players, believes the game will be

won by the team which makes fewer errors on the day.

"I told the guys to go out, enjoy themselves and entertain the

people. We are regarded as the two most popular clubs in the

country and people must talk about this game for some time to

come."

Pirates will be missing Godfrey Sapula, Joseph Ngake, Shasha

Moleko, Gerald Raphahlele, Thabo Mngomeni and Brandon Silent.

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