Kaizer Chiefs will have the necessary confidence to tackle Bidvest Wits tomorrow night despite a massive weekend let-off when they scrambled a late winner to edge out a gritty Maritzburg United and keep themselves in contention for the Premier Soccer League title, coach Steve Komphela insisted.“It’s a direct confrontation. They are there in the chasing pack, we are also there and we cannot let it slip,” said the Chiefs coach with barely any turnaround time from Saturday night’s 3-2 win over Maritzburg at Soccer City.
“So it is all about going in there with the understanding that both teams want it badly. It’s not going to be an easy match. It’s going to be very tight but the fact remains we have to keep chasing and that’s what we are doing currently.
“In terms of confidence, this will help the players. There are stages where you might not give the best performance but you get the result. This helps the confidence a lot.
“Conversely you can have a great performance and not get a result and that will effect your confidence negatively.
“We don’t accept playing badly but it is even better to grind out a result on the back of a not-so pleasing performance. Three points are more important for us,” said Komphela.
Chiefs moved up to 32 points but remained in fourth place after Saturday’s win, where they let slip a 2-0 lead before Lorenzo Gordinho snatched a stoppage time winner.
“We gave away a two-goal lead too easily. Performance-wise, we can’t be happy but where we are , we take three points and move on,” added the Amakhosi coach.
But the result did not come without consequences. George Lebese did not complete the first half with a recurrence of his groin injury, Tsepo Masilela picked up a caution and is now suspended for tomorrow’s match and Siyanda Xulu was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious after a head collision with Thamsanqa Teyise.
“It was unfortunate that Siya got hurt after he finally got a chance in the team after a long while out. We were always going to have a struggle with the central pairing and in midfield Letsholonyane will be back for Wits because Baloyi could have done better.
“It is hard for a player to come into the side after a while out. Match fitness is key and the rhythm of playing is key. And also the understanding of the players who the new guys play alongside is very important,” Komphela explained.
Amakhosi all fired up for Wits showdown
“It’s a direct confrontation. They are there in the chasing pack, we are also there and we cannot let it slip,” said the Chiefs coach with barely any turnaround time from Saturday night’s 3-2 win over Maritzburg at Soccer City.
“So it is all about going in there with the understanding that both teams want it badly. It’s not going to be an easy match. It’s going to be very tight but the fact remains we have to keep chasing and that’s what we are doing currently.
“In terms of confidence, this will help the players. There are stages where you might not give the best performance but you get the result. This helps the confidence a lot.
“Conversely you can have a great performance and not get a result and that will effect your confidence negatively.
“We don’t accept playing badly but it is even better to grind out a result on the back of a not-so pleasing performance. Three points are more important for us,” said Komphela.
Chiefs moved up to 32 points but remained in fourth place after Saturday’s win, where they let slip a 2-0 lead before Lorenzo Gordinho snatched a stoppage time winner.
“We gave away a two-goal lead too easily. Performance-wise, we can’t be happy but where we are , we take three points and move on,” added the Amakhosi coach.
But the result did not come without consequences. George Lebese did not complete the first half with a recurrence of his groin injury, Tsepo Masilela picked up a caution and is now suspended for tomorrow’s match and Siyanda Xulu was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious after a head collision with Thamsanqa Teyise.
“It was unfortunate that Siya got hurt after he finally got a chance in the team after a long while out. We were always going to have a struggle with the central pairing and in midfield Letsholonyane will be back for Wits because Baloyi could have done better.
“It is hard for a player to come into the side after a while out. Match fitness is key and the rhythm of playing is key. And also the understanding of the players who the new guys play alongside is very important,” Komphela explained.
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