Posted in News, Team News on Apr 06, 2021.
Amakhosi coach Gavin Hunt wrapped up his preparations for Chiefs’ DStv Premiership clash against Stellenbosch with a training session on Monday morning. Despite the public holiday and most people being off, Amakhosi have kept up the intensity and are not letting off as they get ready for a busy month ahead. Hunt though is concentrated on Chiefs next assignment and is hoping for Amakhosi to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games as he targets a third victory in all competitions.
The coach is not too concerned with his team having to play a few days after a draining Champions League clash against Wydad.
“It’s right on top of us, but it’s okay,” explained an upbeat Hunt after Monday’s training session. “We just had a little bit of a light work out and we will go again on Tuesday night.”
The Chiefs coach is also happy to have Mulomowandau Erick Mathoho back for the Stellenbosch clash. The defender missed the Wydad victory with a tonsillitis issue. “Erick’s return that will help us because we were short at the back. Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro are now another further two days along in their recovery, that also helps.”
Hunt says he is not really concerned with the fact that his opponents who Chiefs drew 0-0 back on 23 January, are well rested, having last played their last league game on 19 March.
When quizzed about facing a well-rested team who have had three weeks to recharge, Hunt says: “There’s always a question of whether it’s good to play often or have breaks. I always say it’s harder if teams are resting. We can’t look at that though, we have to worry about ourselves. We drew with them earlier. They are a workman like team - an awkward team to play against, but they are well-organized. When we met in the first round, we had chances and they had chances. That’s all gone now, and we only have to worry about today.”
After the Stellenbosch game, Chiefs will have 10 league games to go as they will be entering the final third of their league games. For the Chiefs mentor, each league game takes on added importance, keeping in line with Amakhosi’s goal of aiming to finish as high up the table as possible.
The four times league winning coach does feel that his team is ready for this critical phase of the league. “Every game is critical,” he concludes. “We have 11 games left and we are fighting on two fronts. Let’s go and finish well. We are not worrying about the Champions League until Wednesday. Teams beneath us in the league won over the weekend, so we need to get ourselves up. We want to certainly be in the top half of the league.”
For Amakhosi, a win against Stellenbosch will see them cut to a single point lead that the teams immediately above them have. Having played a game less, three points this evening will certainly help Chiefs keep up their aim of finishing well within the top half of the table.
The DStv Premiership encounter will take place at FNB Stadium at 17:00. It will be live on SuperSport Channel 202 on DStv, with ball action on Twitter @kaizerchiefs.
The coach is not too concerned with his team having to play a few days after a draining Champions League clash against Wydad.
“It’s right on top of us, but it’s okay,” explained an upbeat Hunt after Monday’s training session. “We just had a little bit of a light work out and we will go again on Tuesday night.”
The Chiefs coach is also happy to have Mulomowandau Erick Mathoho back for the Stellenbosch clash. The defender missed the Wydad victory with a tonsillitis issue. “Erick’s return that will help us because we were short at the back. Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro are now another further two days along in their recovery, that also helps.”
Hunt says he is not really concerned with the fact that his opponents who Chiefs drew 0-0 back on 23 January, are well rested, having last played their last league game on 19 March.
When quizzed about facing a well-rested team who have had three weeks to recharge, Hunt says: “There’s always a question of whether it’s good to play often or have breaks. I always say it’s harder if teams are resting. We can’t look at that though, we have to worry about ourselves. We drew with them earlier. They are a workman like team - an awkward team to play against, but they are well-organized. When we met in the first round, we had chances and they had chances. That’s all gone now, and we only have to worry about today.”
After the Stellenbosch game, Chiefs will have 10 league games to go as they will be entering the final third of their league games. For the Chiefs mentor, each league game takes on added importance, keeping in line with Amakhosi’s goal of aiming to finish as high up the table as possible.
The four times league winning coach does feel that his team is ready for this critical phase of the league. “Every game is critical,” he concludes. “We have 11 games left and we are fighting on two fronts. Let’s go and finish well. We are not worrying about the Champions League until Wednesday. Teams beneath us in the league won over the weekend, so we need to get ourselves up. We want to certainly be in the top half of the league.”
For Amakhosi, a win against Stellenbosch will see them cut to a single point lead that the teams immediately above them have. Having played a game less, three points this evening will certainly help Chiefs keep up their aim of finishing well within the top half of the table.
The DStv Premiership encounter will take place at FNB Stadium at 17:00. It will be live on SuperSport Channel 202 on DStv, with ball action on Twitter @kaizerchiefs.
