Chiefs, Wits set for titanic battle
Kaizer Chiefs are targeting their second 2017/18 Absa Premiership win as they meet Bidvest Wits at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
Kick-off is at 6:00pm.
Amakhosi managed to break their duck and beat Cape Town City 2-0 on Wednesday night, but will be vigilant against a wounded Wits.
Looking at the visitors, the league champions have endured a poor start in their title defence campaign so far and are fresh from a 3-1 loss against Golden Arrows.
They have been dethroned as MTN8 Cup champions and are yet to win in the league as they have lost two matches and drew one.
Previous starting XI
Kaizer Chiefs v Cape Town City: Khune, Moleko, Gordinho, Cardoso, Zulu, Katsande, Maluleka, Meyiwa, Jayiya, Tshabalala, Páez
Bidvest Wits v Golden Arrows: Josephs, Hlatshwayo, Damjanovic, Classen, Mhango, Mlambo, Tlhone, Motshwari, Frosler, Ntshangase, Gamal
Head-to- head:
LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2012/13 Wits 1-3 Chiefs Kadi; Parker 2, Majoro
2012/13 Chiefs 1-1 Wits Tshabalala; Chapman
2013/14 Chiefs 2-1 Wits Nkhatha, Majoro; Chapman
2013/14 Wits 0-0 Chiefs
2014/15 Wits 0-3 Chiefs Parker 2, Mathoho
2014/15 Chiefs 1-2 Wits Tshabalala; Botes, Sekese
2015/16 Chiefs 2-1 Wits Katsande (pen), Gordinho; Klate
2015/16 Wits 0-1 Chiefs Maluleka
2016/17 Wits 2-1 Chiefs Pelembe, Hlatshwayo; Gordinho
2016/17 Chiefs 1-0 Wits Paez
LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 30 13 8 9 30 23
Wits 32 3 11 18 19 53
Away
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 32 18 11 3 53 19
Wits 30 9 8 13 23 30
Total
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 62 31 19 12 83 42
Wits 62 12 19 31 42 83
What the teams are saying
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela:
“I can imagine what Gavin (Hunt) is saying in the dressing room and knowing Gavin, he is not the one to bring you roses, he is saying his stuff and exactly like that. Bad timing, but again that’s the Absa Premiership,” said Komphela.
“But, the first win, it was very important, not only for the players’ confidence, for our supporters as well. We play good football, make no mistake.
“Three points is huge in the Absa Premiership, three plus one (gives you) four, keep going and we have targets that we have to meet.”
Bidvest Wits striker Frank Mhango:
“Yeah a big one against Chiefs, every game is big in the PSL, we have to create our chances and use them,” said Mhango.
“We just need to score goals, we will try our best and convert those chances, we are doing everything to create chances to be honest, but the finishing is not there yet.
“We are working on these things as a team and I am sure we will definitely see things come right very soon.
“Chiefs are doing well and it will be a very difficult game at home. So we have to fight hard for the three points and get a win.”
Key players for Kaizer Chiefs:
Itumeleng Khune: Khune won the Man of the Match Award against Benni McCarthy's charges and was instrumental as they fought hard to claim their first win. He made brilliant saves as the hosts kept them under siege. His availability is a boost for Chiefs.
Willard Katsande: The hard tackling midfielder was instrumental for the Soweto giants in the Mother City on Wednesday. Komphela will call on him once again to stop the Wits attacks in the middle of the field.
Key players for Bidvest Wits:
Frank Mhango: Mhango supplied the goal at home against his former team, Arrows and Amr Gamal finished with ease. The Malawian is set to be one of the key members for the Students heading to the Calabash.
Thulani Hlatshwayo: 'Tyson' has been a shadow of himself compared to his last season's exploits. He will now have to rally behind his troops to ensure they find their footing as league champions.