Kaizer Chiefs returned to 2013/14 Absa Premiership action after the festive break with a hard fought entertaining victory over their archrivals and title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Willard Katsande described the game that took place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, last week, on the 23rd January 2014, “It was a tough game. Tackles were flying all over the field but I think the fans got their money’s worth. The two teams had a go at each other. For us it was a matter of starting the New Year (2014) with a bang, continuing with our winning record and in the process maintaining our position on top of the log,” commented Katsande.

The Amakhosi will be visiting Moroka Swallows on Friday, 31st January 2014. Kickoff at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto is at 20:00.

“We demonstrated our intentions when we beat Sundowns last week. If you look at the Sundowns game, we fought for each other and worked our socks off for one another. The mood in the camp is very good. We are training hard and the Technical Team has created a great environment for us to enjoy our work. We have to shift gears, focus and be ready for Friday night’s assignment against Swallows,” said the hard tackling Katsande.

Chiefs beat Swallows 3 – 1 at the same venue on their route to clinching the 2012/13 Absa Premiership title. The game played on the 20th April 2013, was described as one of the turning points as the Amakhosi fought gallantly on that chilly evening, to recover from a goal down to win the game via a brace from Bernard Parker and George Lebese sealing the game in the 72nd minute of the game.

“Swallows are a good side and mind you we are visiting them at their home ground. They play possession football with a lot of energy behind their play. We are preparing for a hard encounter. Though we respect them, we will not worry about them. Our focus will be on our game plan and we have a Master Tactician in Coach Baxter, I am sure he will guide us to display good football on Friday,” commented Katsande.

Chiefs are facing a heavy schedule in their quest to defend the league and Nedbank Cup double and also do well in the CAF Championship. Katsande told kaizerchiefs.com that he is not fazed by the talk of the heavy schedule that lies ahead, “I am ready and I think my teammates will say the same thing. Chelsea FC (Playing in the English Premiership) has the same squad as ours. They play week in week out and their doing well in all competitions. We have a good and capable squad to do well in the upcoming games. We will not play all the competitions in one game; we have to take it one game at the time. We have to adjust to the demands of each and every game, said Katsande with supreme confidence.