Manyama eyeing Sundowns clash
Manyama eyeing Sundowns clash

Posted in News, Team News on Jan 04, 2019.

“We need to get the team back to where it belongs,” enthuses an optimistic Lebogang Manyama on Kaizer Chiefs’ fortunes in 2019. Amakhosi will kick off the year with a fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, 5 January 2019, as the second half of the league commences.

“We have two big games in a space of 4 days but we’re not thinking about Bidvest Wits yet because Sundowns are going to be a big test,” he adds.

Manyama was not part of the Glamour Boys team that played Sundowns to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld in the first match of the season between the two teams. Ramahlwe Mphahlele opened the scoring for Amakhosi before Ricardo Nascimento equalised from the penalty spot.

“We’re taking it one game a time and improving with every training session,” says Manyama who acknowledges that current three-match winning streak may not yet be a true indicator of the team’s progress under Ernst Middendorp. Under the German’s guidance, the team has won three matches, scoring seven and conceding zero since taking over as coach in December 2018.

“Everybody will say the teams we played against are not so strong with the exception of SuperSport United. If you want to swim with the big fishes, then you have to go out and compete,” declares the attacker who is intent on getting the year started on a positive note.

“Right now, we’re in a good phase. The confidence levels are high, and the energy levels are high.”

A single point separates the sides in the congested Absa Premiership log standings with Sundowns occupying 5th position on 22 points and Amakhosi a place behind on 21 points. The Glamour Boys will be looking to climb their way up the table with a win having the potential of moving the team up three places into third position.

Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to turn around their season’s fortunes with a win on Saturday, 5 January 2019. Kick-off is at 15:30.

Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers stores from R50.

 

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