Posted in News, Team News on Jan 27, 2018.
While watching Kaizer Chiefs going through their final polishing touches on Friday afternoon, one gets a clear sense that the players are highly motivated to conquer Mamelodi Sundowns tonight.
The Absa Premiership clash between Chiefs and Sundowns is the centre of attention this weekend. The two rivals are poised to do battle tonight at FNB Stadium. Kickoff is at 20:15.
“We will rise to the occasion,” Komphela promised after the pre-match training session. “Games of this nature don't come every day. It’s a big occasion and everyone is excited about it. We are hungry and our aim is to collect maximum points.”
Komphela preaches humility despite his charges having clocked 13 points in their last five matches.
“This is a new and different ball game,” the coach warned. “Form doesn’t matter much for this kind of a match. I asked my lads for strong individual performances, as that is needed to contribute to the overall performance as a team. We are going all out to collect the maximum points.”
Joseph Molangoane is suspended with Kgotso Moleko and Ramahlwe Mphahlele standing by as a possible replacement. Bernard Parker, meanwhile, is nursing an ankle injury.
“Ryan Moon has come in to take his opportunity and has done well,” Komphela pointed out, “scoring two beautiful headers in back to back fixtures. He has commanded his role with aplomb and that augurs well for us going forward.”
Leonardo Castro scored on his debut, while Siphelele Ntshangase has played a pivotal role since his arrival two matches ago.
“Leo and Siphelele have both made a promising start to their Chiefs career,” admitted Komphela. “We will now have to scratch our heads to decide on whom to field, but that’s a nice situation to be in. The more competition in the squad for places in the starting XI the better.”
About Saturday night’s opponents, the Chiefs coach said: “We all know that they have some dangerous players and we have studied our intelligence report to see how to deal with this. But we equally have our ammunitions and quality players to win this match.”
The stage is set for the mother of all soccer spectacles tonight. “They don’t always come as big as this one,” Komphela concluded.
The Absa Premiership clash between Chiefs and Sundowns is the centre of attention this weekend. The two rivals are poised to do battle tonight at FNB Stadium. Kickoff is at 20:15.
“We will rise to the occasion,” Komphela promised after the pre-match training session. “Games of this nature don't come every day. It’s a big occasion and everyone is excited about it. We are hungry and our aim is to collect maximum points.”
Komphela preaches humility despite his charges having clocked 13 points in their last five matches.
“This is a new and different ball game,” the coach warned. “Form doesn’t matter much for this kind of a match. I asked my lads for strong individual performances, as that is needed to contribute to the overall performance as a team. We are going all out to collect the maximum points.”
Joseph Molangoane is suspended with Kgotso Moleko and Ramahlwe Mphahlele standing by as a possible replacement. Bernard Parker, meanwhile, is nursing an ankle injury.
“Ryan Moon has come in to take his opportunity and has done well,” Komphela pointed out, “scoring two beautiful headers in back to back fixtures. He has commanded his role with aplomb and that augurs well for us going forward.”
Leonardo Castro scored on his debut, while Siphelele Ntshangase has played a pivotal role since his arrival two matches ago.
“Leo and Siphelele have both made a promising start to their Chiefs career,” admitted Komphela. “We will now have to scratch our heads to decide on whom to field, but that’s a nice situation to be in. The more competition in the squad for places in the starting XI the better.”
About Saturday night’s opponents, the Chiefs coach said: “We all know that they have some dangerous players and we have studied our intelligence report to see how to deal with this. But we equally have our ammunitions and quality players to win this match.”
The stage is set for the mother of all soccer spectacles tonight. “They don’t always come as big as this one,” Komphela concluded.
