Durban - Kaizer Chiefs have rolled out their big guns to paint Durban black and gold for their PSL clash against Ajax Cape Town at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (6pm) but will be without their “Tower” of strength.
Amakhosi missed central defender Erick “Tower” Mathoho for the start of the season when they lost in the league against Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City in the MTN8 Cup competition. Mathoho was recovering from an ankle injury sustained while representing the SA Olympic team in Brazil during those setbacks, which led to early calls for coach Steve Komphela’s dismissal.
He will be absent again for the log-leaders’ battle against Ajax, following the death of his half-brother last week. The void left by “Tower” could prove difficult to fill.
Immediately upon his return from that ankle injury, Chiefs banked their first point of the season with a draw against Platinum Stars - where he was credited with an assist for the goal - and followed up with a hat-trick of victories.
Mathoho featured in all those games - against Highlands Park, Maritzburg United and Free State Stars where they kept clean sheets and raced to the summit of the Absa Premiership table, ahead of Golden Arrows thanks to a superior goal difference.
Central defence proved Chiefs’ Achilles heel in Komphela’s first season in charge last term, when Siyanda Xulu, Daniel Cardoso, Lorenzo Gordinho and Ivan Bukenya were tried alongside Mathoho.
Gordinho has been ever-present in the heart of defence, including the league and cup defeats. Chances are Cardoso will partner him again as Chiefs aim for a fourth straight win.
It will be a stern test for the backline, especially against the lanky veteran former international striker Nathan Paulse.
At 34, he is still doing the business, and stands second on the league scorers’ chart with three strikes.
Besides Paulse’s aerial prowess, the Urban Warriors have Durban-born marksman Prince Nxumalo back in the squad after injury.
The Capetonians are eager to register their first win of the campaign, which means the goalkeepers can expect a busy night. Chiefs have playmaker Keagan Buchanan set to make his competitive debut, after he scored in last weekend’s friendly 4-1 Macufe Cup win over Bloemfontein Celtic. And with captain Siphiwe Tshabalala in form and Bernard Parker showing signs of regaining his goal touch, there shouldn’t be too many concerns around the attack.
Being the first of three home games that Chiefs are set to host in Durban, their marketing department pulled out all the stops to ensure they pack the stands.
On Friday the black and gold brigade were visiting Richards Bay to spread the word about filling the stadium.
Fixtures
Saturday: Golden Arrows v Chippa United, FS Stars v Maritzburg United, Platinum Stars v Bloem Celtic (all 3.30pm); Kaizer Chiefs v Ajax CT (6pm); Cape Town City v Baroka FC (8.15pm)
Sunday: SuperSport United v Highlands Park, Polokwane City v Orlando Pirates (both 3.30pm)
Saturday Star