“Champions always bounce back,” says midfielder Willard Katsande ahead of Kaizer Chiefs’ match against the University of Pretoria at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening (kick-off is at 19:30). “We respect Tuks. They are a good side, but we will be ready.”

Amakhosi were beaten 1-0 by Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final on Saturday. Katsande doesn’t want to dwell too much on the past. “It was upsetting,” he reflects about the loss, “especially because we wanted to keep the trophy.”

“However, we have learnt from our mistakes and our focus is now on defending our Absa Premiership trophy. Unlike a cup, which is a sprint, the league is a marathon.”

The Zimbabwean midfielder speaks highly of the Chiefs supporters, who represented about 95 percent of the 38.200 spectators in attendance at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

“Our supporters were great,” Katsande comments, “they never booed us. Instead, they gave us full support until after the game, despite the disappointing result. That’s also why we want to come up with a positive result on Wednesday. We want to reward our fans for always being behind us. They give us so much motivation and they always inspire us to do better.”

Tickets are sold at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide at a cost of R40, while children under the age of 12 pay R10. Parking tickets are set at R20.