Posted in News, Team News on Mar 17, 2018.
The team prepared for Saturday’s Absa Premiership match against AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium (kick-off is at 18:00).
“We are slowly nearing the end of the football season,” the Chiefs coach said. “It means that the fight is on, as we need the three points to keep our title hopes alive. We have to collect the maximum points to stay in contention for the league title.”
Another positive in the camp ahead of the AmaZulu clash are the Bafana Bafana call-ups for Itumeleng Khune, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Daniel Cardoso and Ryan Moon, while Teenage Hadebe has been selected for the Zimbabwean national team.
“It’s good for the camp to have five players going to their respective national teams,” comments Komphela, “because those call-ups will rub off on the other team members.”
“AmaZulu are no pushovers,” Komphela acknowledged. “And they will come to the FNB Stadium knowing that a loss will draw them into a relegation battle. The game will therefore be a big occasion, as we both need the three points. But we do have a home ground advantage on our side plus the backing of our ever vocal and expectant supporters.”
Nearly all the players are fully fit, except for Kabelo Mahlasela. “I’m happy to have a full pool of players to select a winning combination from,” the Chiefs mentor pointed out.
Amakhosi trail log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with eight points with seven games remaining, whereas the same number of points also separate Chiefs and AmaZulu. The Glamour Boys are fifth and Usuthu are in 13th spot on the Absa Premiership log.
This fixture ended in a goalless draw in the first round played in Durban. “Head to head records will not be a determining factor,” Komphela commented, “because the conditions will be different. It was raining cats and dogs when we faced AmaZulu in Durban, which disabled our flowing passing game.”
“We are inviting our supporters to come in their numbers,” the Chiefs coach concluded. “Our preparations went well and the mood in the camp is upbeat. We are going all out for the three points.”