We have to bounce back - Komphela
We have to bounce back - Komphela

Posted in News, Team News on Apr 16, 2018.

‘We have to keep fighting until the final whistle,” Steve Komphela comments. “The match against Platinum Stars is as important as all the other matches we play. We have a duty to bounce back.”

Kaizer Chiefs will hope that the loss against Chippa United is water under the bridge when facing Platinum Stars in an Absa Premiership fixture this Sunday afternoon. Kick-off at FNB Stadium is at 15:00.

“Stars are desperate to pick up points,” the Amakhosi coach notes. “This will make them dangerous visitors. There’s also the matter of the big occasion for their players as added spice to the contest.”

Dikwena are languishing at the tail end of the league table, having collected 21 points with four games still to play for.

“We have prepared well. Roger de Sa is a seasoned campaigner and we know his various approaches to the game. He can play three or four at the back. However, whatever he decides to do, we are ready to counter their plans.”

Teenage Hadebe is ruled out of the match due to having accumulated four yellow cards. “We will miss the services of several players,” Komphela confirms. “Teenage is not available while Rama and Tower are also doubtful.”

Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Erick Mathoho respectively picked up an assortment of injuries and are under the watchful eye of the medical team.

“We need to get back to winning ways and finish the season on a high,” says Komphela. “We aren't looking at the Nedbank Cup semifinal at this stage. The focus is on this league assignment. The lads know very well that we have to build up the motivation for the next game by playing well against Platinum Stars.”

Chiefs host Free State Stars in a Nedbank Cup semifinal clash in Durban on Saturday evening, 21 April. However, at the moment all eyes are on this afternoon’s clash against Platinum Stars.

Komphela identified Stars’ Robert Ng'ambi and Bongi Ntuli as the usual suspects when it comes to players to watch.

“We will have to monitor Ng'ambi and Ntuli,” Komphela points out. “We are looking forward to the encounter. We are under no illusion of facing a team at the bottom of the log, because this season’s league has been tight from the word go.”

Amakhosi go into the match with an upper hand after winning the first round 1-0 and they have a healthy league points and position gap against the visitors. Chiefs are in fourth position with 39 points.

 

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