By Michael Madyira
Kaizer Chiefs will be trying to avoid the embarrassment of losing to Sekhukhune United on Saturday, when Chiefs celebrate their 53rd anniversary.
The club was formed on 7 January 1970 and Saturday’s clash at the FNB Stadium is one they cannot afford to lose on such a momentous day.
But in recent seasons, Amakhosi have carved for themselves a grim reputation of spoiling their significant occasions.
During the 2019/20 season, when they were celebrating their golden jubilee, they led the Premier Soccer League standings for the better part of the season, only to sensationally collapse on the last day of the campaign.
The Soweto giants blew up a healthy lead and allowed Sundowns to snatch the PSL title away from them a few minutes from being crowned champions.
That spoiled their landmark anniversary, but they are keen to get it right this time around. Coach Arthur Zwane has stressed the need to win Saturday’s game as “a present” for club founder Kaizer Motaung.
“This is one game that will obviously mean a lot to me, the players, the chairman, the supporters, and everyone else. So that’s why it’s key for us to give the chairman and our forefathers the present, and that present will be nothing other than the three points,” said Zwane in his pre-match press conference.
But earlier this season, a day before Motaung’s 78th birthday celebrations on 16 October, they lost 2-1 to Chippa United, before drawing 2-2 with then struggling TS Galaxy four days later.
Now they face a fired-up Sekhukhune United, who beat Marumo Gallants on Tuesday to end a four-game winless run.
Chiefs forward Keagan Dolly knows what is at stake on Saturday.
“It is the club’s birthday so it’s a big one for us; not only for the players and the technical staff but for all the supporters as well,” Dolly said at the press conference.
“We are preparing well for the game and we’ll try our best to win at our home. For us, we don’t want to give any team a sniff of hope at the FNB. We want to win. That’s our aim for the weekend.”
Amakhosi defender Zitha Kwinika is also aware of the significance of the Sekhukhune clash.
“We know what the game means and winning it will mean a lot,” he said.
“Not only for us but also for the people who will be there at the FNB to celebrate the birthday with us on the day.”
Having won their last two league games, Chiefs have built some momentum they would want to maintain.
Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs leaving the tunnel
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
