It may be early days but the clash between Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United tomorrow evening is set to give indications about title credentials of the two PSL contenders.
By tradition Chiefs are expected to slug it out for the championship while on paper it seems SuperSport have what it takes to fight for the Absa Premiership title. Both have tasted the league glory since the inception of the PSL. Chiefs have won the title four times while SuperSport have won it three times.
Though the season is just three matches old, SuperSport have already beaten one of the big teams in Orlando Pirates, who they edged 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, but coach Gordon Igesund says his team is yet to gel.
“It’s early days. I don’t think many of the teams are as fluid as they would like to be. I know we are not. I know we are still integrating players into how we want to play. It takes time for the team to really gel but they are getting better and better. The fluency is coming slowly,” said Igesund.
“I am happy with the way things are going so far. It’s always a fantastic game to play Chiefs because we expect these teams to be challenging for the championship and to take points is important.”
The match will also be a test for Chiefs’ priorities since they will be playing Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 final next weekend. Will Steve Komphela and his men go all out or will they hold back with the view of reserving their best for the final? Igesund doesn’t think so.
“I don’t think Chiefs have one eye on the cup final. They have got to prepare a team for the game against us. Whichever way they prepare the team it’s their problem. I am focusing on my team on what we have to do. “We tried to identify some weaknesses and strengths in their team and hopefully we can counteract those,” said the four-time league winning coach.
Igesund has been keeping an eye on Chiefs and knows which players his men have to keep in check if they are to claim victory tomorrow.
“(Siphiwe) Tshabalala is playing very well. Yeye (Letsholonyane) is playing in a more advanced position. They have got good movement in their team. I know they are focusing on my team a little bit. They have got to be concerned about players like Jeremy Brockie, Kingston Nkhatha, Thuso Phala, Dove Wome, David Mathebula,” he said.
Last season SuperSport were the first team to beat Chiefs. That SuperSport have fared well against Chiefs is likely to have the men from Tshwane psyched up for the tomorrow’s battle.
“Psychologically it is always good to know that we have beaten this team not only once but a couple of times. We played against the best and we have beaten them,” said Igesund.
FIXTURES
(all games start at 3pm, unless stated)
TOMORROW
Golden Arrows v Mamelodi Sundowns
At Chatsworth Stadium
TV: SS4
Last Season: Did Not Play
Results so far
Arrows: WDL
Sundowns: DWL
Prediction: Sundowns 2, Arrows 0
Free State Stars v Chippa United
At Goble Park
TV: SABC1
Last season: Stars 2, Chippa 0
Results so far:
Stars: LLL
Chippa: DLW
Prediction: Stars 1, Chippa 2
SuperSport United v Kaizer Chiefs
At Peter Mokaba Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm
TV: SS4
Last season: SuperSport 2, Chiefs 0
Results so far
SuperSport: WDD
Chiefs: DWD
Prediction: SuperSport 1, Chiefs 1
Ajax Cape Town v Polokwane City
At Cape Town Stadium
Kick-off: 8:15pm
TV: Highlights on Monday
Last Season: Ajax 1, Polokwane 1
Results so far
Ajax: DWW
Polokwane: WLD
Prediction: Ajax 2, Polokwane 1
Maritzburg United v Bloemfontein Celtic
At Harry Gwala Stadium
Kick-off: 8.15pm
TV: SABC 1
Last Season: Maritzburg 0, Celtic 0
Results So far
Maritzburg: DLL
Celtic: LDW
Prediction: Maritzburg 0, Celtic 1
SUNDAY
Jomo Cosmos v Platinum Stars
At Olen Park
Kick-off: 3pm
TV: SS4
Last Season: Did not play
Results so far
Cosmos: DDD
Stars: DDW
Prediction: Cosmos 1, Stars 1
University of Pretoria v Bidvest Wits
At Tuks Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
TV: SABC 1
Last Season: Tuks 0, Wits 0
Results so far:
Tuks: LWL
Wits: WLW
Prediction: Tuks 1, Wits 2 - The Star