Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to put their early season league troubles behind them when they come up against SuperSport United in the MTN8 semi-final second leg on Saturday, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
After last week’s 2-2 draw at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, the Glamour Boys come into the encounter with the slight advantage of the away goals. However, despite this small lead, the tie lies firmly in the balance given the poor form of the Soweto giants in the league.
READ: Preview: Sundowns brace for tricky CT City clash
Giovanni Solinas’ team are yet to pick up a win in the Absa Premiership, drawing four and losing one of their opening five fixtures, while they did beat Free State Stars 3-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final.
The Italian coach has Chiefs playing some wonderful attacking football, however, they have been shaky at the back. This weakness was again highlighted during the week as they threw a two-goal lead away against Bloemfontein Celtic to draw 2-2.
Solinas understand his side’s frailties and has promised to go out and attack SuperSport instead of trying to manage the result.
READ: Castro: The coach needs to help us
‘We are not a team that can manage the result, we are a team that plays football and tries to score.
‘In our mind, the game is 0-0, we do not think about the first leg because this would be a big mistake.
‘We will play to win this game,’ added the Italian.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori, on the other hand, got their season off to a flier and they extended their winning league run to three matches with a 2-1 victory over Chippa United in their midweek Absa Premiership clash.
Despite needing penalties to overcome Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals, the defending MTN8 champions have found their scoring boots this season.
SuperSport coach Kaitano Tembo has been encouraged by his forwards form so far this season and has chosen to focus on his own players rather than the defensive weaknesses of Chiefs.
‘I’m not really concerned by their defence,’ said Tembo talking to the press in the build up to the game.
READ: Solinas: MTN8 semi like a World Cup final for Chiefs
‘What I am happy about is my attacking players. They are doing well and scoring goals, that is my concern,’ he added.
Games between these two teams have proven to be tight affairs in recent seasons with just one of their previous four encounters have ended within 90 minutes.
Tembo’s team are the most recent victors after they beat Chiefs 2-1 in the league nearly a year ago.
The encounter at the FNB stadium promises to be a mouth-watering affair with both teams desperate to clinch a spot in the final. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 8:15 pm.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
