Wits gunning for Chiefs revenge
Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits will clash for the second time in seven days when the two teams meet for an Absa Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening, kick-off at 18h00.
The Phefeni Glamour are currently riding the wave of a fantastic run of form.
Last week in Mbombela they completely outplayed their weekend opponents 3-0 in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 fixture. That win was coupled by the fact that they are sitting two points clear at the summit of the Absa Premiership standings and could potentially increase their lead to five points if they win this weekend.
Amakhosi have amassed 42 points from their 18 league matches and have only suffered one defeat whilst in the process of acquiring 12 wins.
Chiefs come into the match off the back of two successive wins in the league, the most recent of which was 3-1 away win to Black Leopards.
The Soweto giants will be looking to improve on their already excellent home record which has seen them pick up 26 points from a possible 30.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has emphasised the ideology of taking it one match a at a time as he knows that the business end of the league is where most teams fight tooth and nail for anything available.
“We need mental strength. We need the right attitude,” explained Baxter.
“There are about three or four teams who can still claim the title, but since we have raised our hands we have to continue working hard and be mentally strong to avoid falling under pressure.
“There is always going to be pressure in such a fight and going into the game against Wits on Saturday we have to show that we can withhold the pressure and come back with three points.”
Baxter is very much aware that the Clever Boys will be going all out to make amends to their marginal supporters after last weekend’s defeat.
“They will be coming with a different mentality from the first game, which was last week’s cup encounter,” added the Chiefs coach.
“We have to maintain our focus and make sure we are ready for this battle. They are a good side and they have always given us a good game whenever we play them.”
Wits also come into the game on the back of a victory, having beaten Chippa United 2-1 for their second league win of 2013.
The Johannesburg side, though, has struggled away from home this season, claiming just two wins from nine matches on the road.
The Clever Boys are placed seventh on the Absa Premiership log with 25 points from 19 matches.
Former Chiefs centre-back and current Wits player Thomas Sweswe is itching to have another go at his former club in the hope of re-writing last weekend’s cup defeat exit.
“It is water under the bridge now; we need to focus on this upcoming match against the very same opponents this Saturday,” said Sweswe.
“It is their home game and we are playing away. They will be feeling pressure from their Jo’burg supporters because they don’t like losing.
“So we have to capitalise on their mistakes because we know that their home fans are so spoiled on winning. So if they make mistakes we know that their fans will become more frustrated which will be good for us.”
