After a poor start in the Absa Premiership, Giovanni Solinas and Kaizer Chiefs could book a spot in the MTN8 final with a victory over SuperSport United on Saturday, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

The Glamour Boys come into the encounter with a slight advantage after scoring two away goals in a 2-2 draw at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in the first leg.

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With Chiefs’ abysmal start to the Absa Premiership, where they are yet to pick up a win in five games, the MTN8 will offer Solinas some respite and the opportunity to end their trophy drought after three barren years.

With the pressure beginning to mount on Solinas already, the Italian admitted to the media in the buildup to the semi-final second leg that the encounter is like a ‘World Cup final’ for Chiefs.

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‘It is a difficult game because SuperSport is a very strong team, but for us, it is like a World Cup final.

‘It is a very important game for us, so we need to recover our energy tomorrow and prepare for this game because for us, this game is crucial.’

Solinas revealed that time is his side’s enemy as they prepare for their third game in a space of a week but admitted that there are no excuses as he targets cup glory.

‘There is no excuse, we need to go to the final because the club needs to win a trophy.

‘This cup is a target for us,’ concluded the coach.

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Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix