Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika has dismissed suggestions that their attention could be divided ahead of Tuesday’s Betway Premiership match against Stellenbosch FC at the FNB Stadium.
The Stellenbosch tie comes as Amakhosi have another crucial assignment, Saturday’s Soweto Derby showdown against old foes Orlando Pirates at the same venue. It is a testing week for the Glamour Boys, who are reeling from the disappointing CAF Confederation Cup exit.
But after 10 days without playing competitive football since the 2-1 defeat away at Zamalek SC, Chiefs coaches will be hoping to have fresh legs. They first clash with Stellenbosch, who have denied them two major trophies this season.
The Cape Winelands side first booted Chiefs out of the MTN8, before recently eliminating them from the Nedbank Cup. The two sides also met in the reverse Premiership fixture this season, and Chiefs won 2-0.
A TESTING WEEK AS CHIEFS PLOT AGAINST STELLIES AND PIRATES
The cup games’ defeats by Stellenbosch might have left the Soweto giants with a score to settle. Beating the Maroons to stay in contention for the league title is a priority for Amakhosi, who are fourth on the log standings. They have eight points fewer than the leaders Pirates, who have played two more league games.
After the Stellenbosch match, Chiefs will then have to deal with Pirates later this week, tackling their traditional rivals who are on a two-match winless run. Victory over the Cape Winelands side would be key for Chiefs to recover from the Confederation Cup setback and hand them a boost going into the Soweto Derby.
However, there is a risk that Chiefs may enter the Stellenbosch clash distracted, with part of their mind on the Soweto Derby. But Kwinika opened up on how they have been managing their plans for two crucial matches coming four days apart.
“That one is straightforward. I also didn’t know that we are playing a derby on Saturday,” Kwinika told journalists at Monday’s media open day in Naturena.
“We are playing Stellenbosch tomorrow [Tuesday], our focus is on tomorrow’s game. The other one, we will see in days to come.”
Chiefs right-back Thabiso Monyane agreed with Kwinika, saying, “Like my colleague said, we take one game at a time. We don’t look into the future, but we are fully focused on Stellenbosch.”
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