Kaizer Chiefs defender Jimmy Tau received a huge cheer from his team mates at the Durban International airport on Monday afternoon when he was embraced by a female fan, who had diarized the fact that the Chiefs number 2 was celebrating his 27th birthday on Monday.

That was about all Chiefs had to cheer about on a day when a delay in their flight to Port Elizabeth, as well as adverse weather conditions in the windy city contrived to disrupt Coach Muhsin Ertugral’s plans.

Instead of having an outdoor training session in Port Elizabeth on Monday afternoon, the Chiefs coach had to move his players indoors to a nearby gym where The Amakhosi were put through their paces by team physiotherapist David Milner.

Given the hiccups that The Amakhosi under went on Monday one would expect them to be concerned with their Vodacom Challenge playoff game against Orlando Pirates just days away.

Chiefs assistant coach Fani Madida is relaxed ahead and believes that The Amakhosi are more than ready for Pirates, and will step up their preparations on Tuesday and Wednesday for Thursday’s clash.

Speaking from the teams Port Elizabeth hotel on Tuesday morning Madida was upbeat about Chiefs chances of progressing to this Saturday’s Vodacom Challenge Final.

“We have been in pre season training since the 25th June and I do believe that we have made a lot of progress over the past couple of weeks, we are in the fortunate position of being able to put in any squad member and he will deliver the same kind of result for us,” added the Chiefs assistant coach.

Furthermore Madida a prolific goal scorer during his successful years with Chiefs during the 1980’s and early 1990’s, believes that although winning the game on Thursday will not be a walk in the park Chiefs are in the advantageous position of having the extra days to prepare and rest for the game.

As he explained further by adding “we played on Saturday afternoon so by the time the game against Pirates comes about we would have had four days to acclimatize to the conditions and we would have had a handful of training sessions in windy Port Elizabeth”.

While Chiefs are in the driving seat in terms of being in Port Elizabeth before Pirates as well as having played two matches in the Eastern Cape City over the last three months Madida believes that the Chiefs technical team are not intent on taking chances ahead of Thursday’s big game.

Madida made it clear when he explained “together with the coach we had a few discussions after the Saturday game and we do believe that there are a number of tactical issues that we do need to address on our side”.

With two days to go before Chiefs square up to Pirates Madida is confident that they will address the problems which were Chiefs undoing during their Vodacom Challenge opener against Tottenham Hotspurs this past weekend.

Madida was quick to point out that there is one particular area which Chiefs will improve on before Thursday, “the coach mentioned after the game on Saturday that we were perhaps not as vigilant at the back as we should have been.

Nevertheless we do know that we need to get it right particularly in the centre of defence and I am confident that by the time the game comes around on Thursday we will come good at the back”.

During his time as a goal poacher of note for Chiefs Madida always enjoyed playing against Orlando Pirates, he believes that the unique history and rivalry will make Thursday’s encounter just as riveting and exciting as matches gone by between the two famous rivals.

“When I was a player I could not wait to play against Pirates the packed stadium, the noise, the colour and every thing that goes with the Soweto derby makes the meeting between these two legends a wonderful celebration of everything that South African football stands for” added Madida.

Even though Thursday evenings game will be played far away from Soweto or Gauteng for that matter, the strong support that the two teams have around the country will ensure that the occasion will have the same feel as it would have had the game been played in Johannesburg.

“Chiefs and Pirates have a huge fan base all around the country where ever these two teams meet one can be guaranteed to have a full stadium.

Given the rousing reception that we got from many of our fans based in the Eastern Cape when arrived in Port Elizabeth on Monday, I can safely say that there will be enough supporters in Gold and Black on Thursday for us to feel right at home”.

The two Soweto Giants are set to light up the Eastern Cape on Thursday evening that will keep the large crowd at the Eastern Province Rugby Stadium in Port Elizabeth, warmed up and on their feet for much of what is sure to be a pulsating and attacking game.

Tickets for Thursday evening’s game which is expected to kick off at 20h15 are presently on sale, fans are urged to visit their nearest Computicket office or Shoprite - Checkers outlet as no tickets will be on sale at the stadium on Thursday.