Maintaining their trademark focus against dangerously unpredictable opponents will be Kaizer Chiefs’ priority as they attempt to wrap up the 2014-15 Absa Premiership title against Polokwane City at FNB Stadium tonight.
Amakhosi captain Tefu Mashamaite said that Chiefs’ concentration through a 19-match unbeaten start, then the speed bumps that followed, has been one of their most important weapons going to within striking distance of a second PSL title in three seasons.
“It’s mainly been about that. We look at, ‘We’ve got a game against whoever’. We don’t look at who’s chasing and who’s in front. Because those things just create extra pressure on you,” the centre-back said.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter will be looking for that sort of discipline from his side against Kosta Papic’s attack-minded Polokwane.
Amakhosi, after second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns’ 5-0 meltdown against Bloemfontein Celtic last week, need three points against City to wrap up the title with three games remaining.
Chiefs’ fullbacks, Siboniso Gaxa and Tsepo Masilela, could be crucial initiating counter-attacks out wide.
Papic’s attacking tactics took City into the top eight in the first half of the season. They have faltered with just one victory since the PSL restart in February. And all season there have been heavy defeats – including 5-0 by Sundowns.
Teams that have thrashed City have done so absorbing pressure when the Limpopo side throw bodies forward centrally, then taking the ball wide and hitting a defence left short on numbers.
With Chiefs’ strength both in defence (they have conceded 11 goals) and renowned transitions, and their efficiency putting away troublesome opponents, it is hard to imagine anything but nerves preventing Amakhosi doing the same to Rise and Shine tonight.
“City will gamble, and we’ve got to make sure their gamble doesn’t win,” said Baxter. “But we’ve got to make sure properly because they do play with high risks.”
City were at the hands of another cavalier defeat, 3-2 at home to Free State Stars on Saturday. Papic, though, believes the ninth-placed side can halt the slide and work their way back into the top eight.
“Whatever people say, this team did not deserve to lose this match. We are still fighting for the top eight. But if you put pressure on the players it won’t be easy.”
Chiefs will be impatient to wrap up the title before their tricky remaining matches against Sundowns (away), Bidvest Wits (home) and Chippa United (away).
• The trophy will not be handed to Chiefs should they win tonight, but presented on the last weekend of the season to whoever wins the title, the PSL announced yesterday.
Amakhosi on the cusp of their grand show of force
Amakhosi captain Tefu Mashamaite said that Chiefs’ concentration through a 19-match unbeaten start, then the speed bumps that followed, has been one of their most important weapons going to within striking distance of a second PSL title in three seasons.
“It’s mainly been about that. We look at, ‘We’ve got a game against whoever’. We don’t look at who’s chasing and who’s in front. Because those things just create extra pressure on you,” the centre-back said.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter will be looking for that sort of discipline from his side against Kosta Papic’s attack-minded Polokwane.
Amakhosi, after second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns’ 5-0 meltdown against Bloemfontein Celtic last week, need three points against City to wrap up the title with three games remaining.
Chiefs’ fullbacks, Siboniso Gaxa and Tsepo Masilela, could be crucial initiating counter-attacks out wide.
Papic’s attacking tactics took City into the top eight in the first half of the season. They have faltered with just one victory since the PSL restart in February. And all season there have been heavy defeats – including 5-0 by Sundowns.
Teams that have thrashed City have done so absorbing pressure when the Limpopo side throw bodies forward centrally, then taking the ball wide and hitting a defence left short on numbers.
With Chiefs’ strength both in defence (they have conceded 11 goals) and renowned transitions, and their efficiency putting away troublesome opponents, it is hard to imagine anything but nerves preventing Amakhosi doing the same to Rise and Shine tonight.
“City will gamble, and we’ve got to make sure their gamble doesn’t win,” said Baxter. “But we’ve got to make sure properly because they do play with high risks.”
City were at the hands of another cavalier defeat, 3-2 at home to Free State Stars on Saturday. Papic, though, believes the ninth-placed side can halt the slide and work their way back into the top eight.
“Whatever people say, this team did not deserve to lose this match. We are still fighting for the top eight. But if you put pressure on the players it won’t be easy.”
Chiefs will be impatient to wrap up the title before their tricky remaining matches against Sundowns (away), Bidvest Wits (home) and Chippa United (away).
• The trophy will not be handed to Chiefs should they win tonight, but presented on the last weekend of the season to whoever wins the title, the PSL announced yesterday.
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