Chiefs set to make history

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 16: George Lebese of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Thato Thlone of freestate Stars during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars at Peter Mokaba Stadium on December 16, 2014 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 16: George Lebese of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Thato Thlone of freestate Stars during the Absa Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars at Peter Mokaba Stadium on December 16, 2014 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)

Published Dec 19, 2014

Share

And now out to set a new record and ensure the Christmas lunch goes down well, Kaizer Chiefs go into their final match of the year tomorrow with a spring in their step after equalling Orlando Pirates’ record unbeaten run of 17 matches in a season. Victory – or even a draw – over Black Aces at the FNB Stadium will see Amakhosi set a new record that will prove very hard to beat.

And having already put one over Amazayoni in the first round, all indications are that Chiefs will emerge victorious once more, such has been their form his term.

Not that Stuart Baxter and his boys are taking anything for granted. Far from it, for the Englishman knows just how dangerous Clive Barker’s team can be. “Clive always tries to play (positively) and on a good day Aces can pass right past, over or around you – they are that good. Besides, I am aware that any team can beat us just as much as we can beat any team.”

But victory to wrap up what has so far been a fantastic season will provide Baxter with a great festive cheer.

“Of course my turkey will taste a little better if we beat them,” he laughed.

Barker has continuously praised Chiefs as the best team in the league, the old man even going to the extent of proclaiming Amakhosi champions with nearly half the season still to be played. Baxter, though, doesn’t buy it.

“I’m too old to believe all that. If they say that they are too nice and maybe they want to create in us a sense of false security. But we won’t fall for that. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,” he responded when told that some coaches have said Chiefs play the most beautiful football of the lot in the league. Yet to taste defeat this season, Baxter expressed pleasure at the fact that their success has been achieved in spite of Chiefs often being forced to make changes to their starting line-up.

“What is really pleasing for me is that we play different shapes and use different players yet we still manage to play with the same intensity and produce good results.” It is this fact that has Baxter not duly worried that their impending participation in continental competition (the Caf Champions League) next year could derail them from their championship run and see them usurped like they were by Mamelodi Sundowns last season.

“Last year (season) was different because we had the points but Sundowns had games in hand. Now we know that everyone is on the same games and they – Wits, Sundowns and Pirates – are all in Africa. And we’ve learnt from our experiences and maybe when the (transfer) window opens (in January) we might get some new players. But the key for us is to win every game, or at least try to like we have been doing so far.”

Against an Aces side that played a big role in their implosion with victory at the same FNB last season though, Chiefs will need to perform for the full 90 minutes instead of coming alive after the break as they have done in their recent matches. After all, Amazayoni have not lost a single match on the road this season.

Late tomorrow at nearby Orlando Stadium, Pirates welcome a Bloemfontein Celtic side that won their first match under coach Clinton Larsen who rejoined Phunya Sele Sele following the departure of Ernst Middendorp. The Buccaneers came from behind in a 1-1 draw at Moroka Swallows and will be keen to get back to winning ways if they are to remain among the chasing pack behind Amakhosi. The Birds are away to AmaZulu while Free State Stars welcome Platinum Stars, Polokwane City host Maritzburg United and Ajax Cape Town visit Mamelodi Sundowns. Sunday’s two matches see University of Pretoria tackle Bidvest Wits and Chippa United clash with SuperSport United. - The Star

Related Topics: