Kaizer Chiefs must pick up their socks when they host fired up Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership clash at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
That was the message from Amakhosi skipper Tinashe Nengomasha, as Amakhosi prepare for what has turned out to be a crunch game for Chiefs.
Arrows are on a roll after the way they won the MTN8 final, hammering Ajax Cape Town 6-0 at the same venue last Saturday night.
Nengomasha and his coach, Vladimir Vermezovic, were unhappy with Chiefs’ performance when they were beaten 2-1 by Moroka Swallows at the same venue last Wednesday night.
Chiefs have not managed to win a game in the five matches they have played at Orlando Stadium this season and that is a record Nengomasha says has to end.
Said Nengomasha: ”We are going for three points as we have to get back onto the winning trail.”
Chiefs play their arch rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but Nengomasha stressed the focus was on Arrows and not Pirates.
Said the Chiefs skipper: ”We are fully focused on Arrows. On Thursday we will start thinking about Pirates.”
On the 6-0 hiding they handed to Ajax Nengomasha said: ”Arrows surprised a lot of people, including Ajax, with the way they attacked and their positive approach to that game.”
Nengomasha said he it was a triumph for Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi: ”I think Mngqithi has done a fantastic job with Arrows.
”But he will have an even bigger task of getting his players back to earth and I think we can capitalise.”
However, Chiefs veteran goalkeeper Arthur Bartman, who was one of the club’s more inspired signing this season following the hand injury to first choice keeper Itumeleng Khune, had another view of Arrows’ thumping of the Urban Warriors.
”Arrows are nothing special. They simply caught a disjointed Ajax on the night.
”We know how they play and are not scared of them.”
Vermezovic confirmed he would be ringing the changes after the disappointing loss to Swallow and added: ”You will see on Wednesday
what changes I will make. I am not divulging any plans now.”
The Serbian born coach added he was not feeling the pressure. ”Pressure is all part of the game and as a coach and player you have to learn to deal with it.”
The Chiefs coach added he hoped that Arrows had used up all their ammunition against Ajax and would have nothing left over when they meet Chiefs.
Chiefs star winger Siphiwe Tshabalala, said while the pitch at Orlando Stadium was bad, he stressed they would not use that as an excuse for playing badly.
”The pitch will not be a problem. It is the same for both sides.”
An improving Mamelodi Sundowns meet Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in what ‘Downs coach Hristo Stoichkov, hopes will see his side collect another three points against a Stars side that is struggling to find their feet this season.
Pirates face a tricky trip to Durban’s Chatsworth Stadium to play another struggling outfit in AmaZulu; Bloemfontein Celtic host
bottom club Jomo Cosmos at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium; at the Woodburn Stadium Maritzburg United play Mpumalanga Black Aces and at Milpark high riding BidVest Wits entertain unpredictable Free State Stars. — Sapa