Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson admits not much is known about Nedbank Cup opponents Milford FC ahead of their round-of-32 clash at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
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CURRENT FORM
The Glamour Boys returned to domestic action after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations break with a 0-0 draw against Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium on 18 February.
Johnson's side went unbeaten in their final four games of 2023, although a 1-1 draw with Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on 30 December halted a three-match winning streak.
Chiefs remain just one point behind arch-rivals Orlando Pirates (5th) in sixth position in the DStv Premiership standings and they'll be hoping for another deep run in the cup competition after reaching the semifinals last season.
Milford have found the going tough on their debut in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after purchasing the status of Uthongathi ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The KZN outfit pulled one point clear of the relegation zone thanks to a 0-0 draw with local rivals Maritzburg United at the Princess Magogo Stadium on 17 February.
Nkululeko Buthelezi's side had closed out the calendar year with back-to-back wins against Baroka (1-0) and Black Leopards (4-2), but suffered a 1-0 defeat to high-flying Orbit College on their return to domestic duties on 13 February.
Next Kaizer Chiefs Match
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) February 21, 2024
🏆#NedbankCup Last 32
⚽️Kaizer Chiefs vs. Milford FC
👕First Team
🗓️Sunday 25 February 2024
🏟FNB Stadium
🕞18h00
📺SuperSport 202
🎟R40 - Spar, Ticketpro: https://t.co/PwObUa8fuQ#Amakhosi4Life #Khosified pic.twitter.com/7f1mIKl9oz
WHAT WAS SAID
Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson
"We normally talk about opposition before games, but Milford are a secret, they bought Uthongathi's status, and not much is known about them.
"But we've seen some of their players, Zama [Siyabonga Nzama] makes the team tick a little bit. We also looked at the other 10 players and there are some of them that are good.
"We're up against a first division team as Kaizer Chiefs and from our point of view, we are prepared for this. We know what it means for the club, we know what it means for our supporters. We play at home, and we give them all the respect."
Milford head coach Nkululeko Buthelezi
"What I can say is the people most excited about this match are the players more than us (coaches). I think they'll do everything in their power to ensure they beat them (Chiefs) because they're more than fired up.
"The owners of the club are Chiefs supporters themselves so I'm not sure about them, but the players, I can definitely tell you, want to win the match."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kaizer Chiefs - Ashley Du Preez led the line against Thwihli Thwahla and his pace caused the opposition all sorts of problems, something Milford will be wary of. The striker squandered a glorious opportunity to open the scoring on 24 minutes when he latched onto a long ball down the right flank and chipped the ball wide of the right post with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Milford - Menzi Chili has impressed for the team from Richards Bay this term after being part of the Uthongathi squad that campaigned in the National First Division last season. The midfielder failed to score in 26 appearances for the cane Cutters, but he's already found the back of the six times in 15 outings for Milford.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the first meeting between Kaizer Chiefs and Milford.