TUESDAY, 11.40AM:
KAIZER Chiefs and Manning Rangers clash in Premier Soccer League match at Ellis Park Stadium on Wednesday night. The game has been termed as “the dress rehearsal” for Sunday’s Rothmans Cup semi-final game in Durban.
The game was scheduled for the Johannesburg Stadium but was switched to 60 000-seater Ellis Park because of huge interest in the game.
Rangers coach Gordon Igesund and his counterpart at Chiefs Paul Dolezar know that they have to win this one in order to have a psychological advantage on Sunday. Both teams had disapointing weekend results. Rangers went down 2-1 to Moroka Swallows and Chiefs drew with Real Rovers 1-1 at Pietersburg.
Chiefs PRO Louis Tshakoane said they have to win this game at all costs. “Our seriousness to become the first winners of the new trophy will be shown in this league match,” he said.
Dolezar said, after watching Rangers twice in action, his charges will have an edge over their opponents from Durban. “We have talented players who have flair but who play as individuals rather than collectively, but we can beat them,” said the Frenchman.
Igesund said his team has a score to settle with Chiefs and will do everything in thier power to win the game. “We have no need to be scared of them. We won’t make the mistake we did in the corresponding fixture last season when we were overrawed by Chiefs’ reputation,” he said.