Menzi Magubane
Many have already predicted that Kaizer Chiefs will not beat relegation-threatened Chippa United on Wednesday at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
Amakhosi have struggled in the past to keep up the momentum after beating a big team like Sundowns.
They tend to become complacent.
Their follow-up matches against smaller teams often end with a draw, and they have also been known to lose.
On 21 March, Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates by 1-0 but immediately played out draws in the next two games and lost the following one.
They were held 2-2 at home by Stellenbosch and 1-1 away at Baroka. Last Wednesday they lost 2-1 at home against Cape Town City.
Last Sunday, they were a changed team playing with purpose in their 2-1 win against log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Now, the big question is whether they repeat that good display when they face Chippa?
Coach Gavin Hunt has work to do in ensuring that his players remain focused and aren’t complacent against the Gqeberha side.
The rest of the work will be left to the players themselves to bring their A-game just as they did against Downs.
Even though Chiefs have beaten Chippa in the first round this season, things are a bit complicated for the Chilli Boys.
They are a team fighting relegation and they will stop at nothing to avoid the drop – so Amakhosi will need to tread carefully.
Hunt said: “We’ve got to be better, we will be better.”
“On Wednesday we have another tough opposition and we will need to be on our toes. Matches are coming thick and fast. We play Sunday, Wednesday or Saturday. So, it’s madness.”
Maximum points will come in handy for these two. Chiefs are looking to secure the top eight spot and Chippa, second from bottom, need points to avoid the axe.
Other Premiership matches on Wednesday:
Tshakhuma vs Celtic (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3pm), Baroka vs TS Galaxy (Peter Mokaba Stadium, 5pm), Sundowns vs Arrows (Loftus Stadium, 5pm), Cape Town City vs AmaZulu (Cape Town Stadium, 5pm).
Picture source:@kaizerchiefs
