Kaizer Chiefs will be up against Stellenbosch FC in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The Glamour Boys will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s damaging 3-1 defeat in the Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates. And after two-and-a-half-years at Naturena without a trophy the pressure is beginning to mount on coach, Steve Komphela.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso was quick to emphasise the side’s shift in focus.

‘Look it’s been a tough week, we suffered a heavy blow on the weekend but its in the past now and we have to move forward. We have another challenge on Saturday evening against Stellenbosch.’

‘Our preparations have been going well. We are still down but we have been trying to get our mental side right again. We have to keep going, we can’t dwell on the past. So, we are turning our attention to [the] Nedbank [Cup] this weekend and we obviously want a trophy as a team and for our coach Steve. We just have to keep pushing and keep going.’

Komphela’s men lost more ground on league leaders, Sundowns, after the derby loss saw the gap widen to eight points as hopes of a league title begin to fade.

When asked if Chiefs were now placing all their proverbial eggs in the Nedbank Cup basket, Cardoso said, ‘Our main focus will be on the Nedbank Cup. Eight points is quite a big gap, but it is not over yet. For now, the focus will be shifted to the Nedbank Cup.’

Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker, who was also in attendance at the press conference, pointed out that the game will not be easy.

‘For them it will be a cup final and the biggest game of the year, so we can’t be taking this game lightly,’ said Parker.

‘We are well aware that this is the third year [without a trophy] and that it may be the coach’s final few months in charge. This weekend is an opportunity to fight for a trophy, for the club firstly, as Chiefs is all about winning trophies and for the coach as well.’