An under strength Kaizer Chiefs side are ready for battle, according to head coach Stuart Baxter, when they meet Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals at Free State Stadium today .
“It’s a difficult one going to Bloemfontein, so we know the challenge and we have our issues with injuries as well,” Baxter said.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge so we need to make sure we’re up for it.”
Amakhosi, seven points clear at the top of the league standings, are without defenders Morgan Gould and Eric Mathoho for the knockout clash, while Reneilwe Letsholonyane is serving a suspension.
Baxter remained confident, however, that they could progress to the last four.
“If you took three international players out of any team in Europe, or any team in the world, you’re looking at a considerable weakening,” he said.
“The players have pitched up and stood up to be counted. Whoever comes in can do a job, they’ve all just got to do it at the same time.”
Celtic coach Clinton Larsen was cautious, despite the absence of some of the visiting side’s key players, but he believed they could dump the Soweto giants from the competition in front of their home crowd.
“I don’t think Chiefs will be weakened at all due to injuries.
They have enough depth and quality to put out,” Larsen said.
“But we’ve got players ready to step in there and do the job for us.”
Elsewhere today , Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp believes home advantage could prove to be the deciding factor when his side take on SuperSport United at Harry Gwala Stadium.
“Playing at home is a big factor, probably the biggest one in fact because at this stage of the competition it really doesn’t matter who you play,” Middendorp said.
Meanwhile, SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt was pleased with his side’s build-up, and insisted they would prefer to play away from home.
“We’re a better away team,’’ he said
Quarterfinal fixtures:
Saturday: Maritzburg United v SuperSport United (Harry Gwala Stadium), Bloemfontein Celtic v Kaizer Chiefs (Bloemfontein Stadium).
Tomorrow: Mamelodi Sundowns v Platinum Stars (Loftus Versfeld), United FC v African Warriors (Moruleng Stadium).
Baxter’s upbeat
“It’s a difficult one going to Bloemfontein, so we know the challenge and we have our issues with injuries as well,” Baxter said.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge so we need to make sure we’re up for it.”
Amakhosi, seven points clear at the top of the league standings, are without defenders Morgan Gould and Eric Mathoho for the knockout clash, while Reneilwe Letsholonyane is serving a suspension.
Baxter remained confident, however, that they could progress to the last four.
“If you took three international players out of any team in Europe, or any team in the world, you’re looking at a considerable weakening,” he said.
“The players have pitched up and stood up to be counted. Whoever comes in can do a job, they’ve all just got to do it at the same time.”
Celtic coach Clinton Larsen was cautious, despite the absence of some of the visiting side’s key players, but he believed they could dump the Soweto giants from the competition in front of their home crowd.
“I don’t think Chiefs will be weakened at all due to injuries.
They have enough depth and quality to put out,” Larsen said.
“But we’ve got players ready to step in there and do the job for us.”
Elsewhere today , Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp believes home advantage could prove to be the deciding factor when his side take on SuperSport United at Harry Gwala Stadium.
“Playing at home is a big factor, probably the biggest one in fact because at this stage of the competition it really doesn’t matter who you play,” Middendorp said.
Meanwhile, SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt was pleased with his side’s build-up, and insisted they would prefer to play away from home.
“We’re a better away team,’’ he said
Quarterfinal fixtures:
Saturday: Maritzburg United v SuperSport United (Harry Gwala Stadium), Bloemfontein Celtic v Kaizer Chiefs (Bloemfontein Stadium).
Tomorrow: Mamelodi Sundowns v Platinum Stars (Loftus Versfeld), United FC v African Warriors (Moruleng Stadium).
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