Posted in Club News, News on Feb 19, 2017.
There was a fantastic vibe at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium with about 25 000 enthusiastic supporters in attendance. The atmosphere helped Chiefs to win their second of the three home league matches played this season in Durban, beating Ajax Cape Town in the first and drawing Baroka FC in the second.
Thanks to the win, Kaizer Chiefs are now on top of the league log, having collected 33 points from 18 games. Cape Town City, who drew last night at home against Orlando Pirates, are on 32 points, also from 18 matches.
The Glamour Boys have now won their last five league fixtures. Next up are Ajax Cape Town at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, 25 February (kick-off at 20:15).
However, Chiefs will miss Saturday’s match winner Lorenzo Gordinho for that game, because the defender collected his fourth yellow card and, with it, a one match suspension.
Komphela is not too worried about missing his centre-back: “Erick Mathoho was suspended for the Highlands Park match and that resulted in Daniel Cardoso coming in to replace him, doing well. We have a squad of 32 players and everybody can play.”
The Amakhosi coach also commented on the recently signed Venezuelan striker Gustavo Páez, who hasn’t started a game as yet: “We are on a good run as a team, so why change, except for forced changes like Mathoho and George Maluleka (calf strain). Our supporters are anxious for Gustavo to start. They must please be patient. He will get a start and then the goals will come as well.”
About the Glamour Boys topping the Absa Premiership standings, Komphela comments: “We are Kaizer Chiefs. We will always target every trophy that is available.”
Ramahlwe ‘Rama’ Mphahlele was selected as the Man of the Match for an outstanding performance. The right-back reacted modestly after the game, pointing out that “it’s always about the team.”