A stuttering Kaizer Chiefs outfit will visit the Danie Craven Stadium this weekend, when the Glamour Boys face Stellenbosch FC in the quarterfinals of the lucrative MTN8 tournament on Sunday afternoon.
The Western Cape side head into the tie off the back of a 3-0 DStv Premiership defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns, however, Steve Barker’s charges will take solace in the fact that they’ve had Chiefs’ number in recent times.
Stellies completed a league double over Amakhosi last season and will now face an Amakhosi side short of confidence. That said, Stellenbosch will be making their debut in the competition as they continue to progress in the PSL.
Speaking on the fizture, Barker lauded Amakhosi’s individual brilliance and, at the same time, hinted at suffocating Chiefs by denying them the chance at getting into a ‘rhythm’.
“Chiefs also have good quality,” Barker said.
“They have good players. It’s always difficult when you play teams that have that kind of individual brilliance but they are a little brittle at this stage and are desperate to get some results.
“We don’t have to allow them the time and space to play.
“If they do get some rhythm and the crowd get behind them, they will be difficult.”
Chiefs head into the popular tournament on an inconsistent run of form and have already recorded three defeats in the DStv Premiership.
One of those losses came during their recent trip to the Western Cape, with Cape Town City claiming a 2-0 home win over coach Arthur Zwane’s men.
The Top 8 showpiece is a tournament Amakhosi are familiar with, having reached the final on more occasions than any club in the land (21).
However, Chiefs have now gone seven seasons without claiming any silverware with Zwane mentioning that time will be needed to deliver the goods
“If you have a way of playing and you know this is what you want to achieve, that takes some time,” Zwane said.
“It took Sundowns a lot of time, at one stage, coach Pitso Mosimane mentioned that it was difficult for him as well.
“I'm in the same situation but it doesn’t put fear in my heart because we have a plan as a club and that plan is we are not going to lose focus because the results are not going our way.”
Stellenbosch are somewhat of a hoodoo team for the Glamour Boys, with the Western Cape outfit having the edge in the head-to-head battle.
In the last five fixtures, which have been played in the DStv Premiership, Stellenbosch recorded two wins, with three stalemates played during this time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Stellenbosch FC:
Junior Mendieta: The South American had a disappointing performance against Sundowns, however he remains an integral component to the Stellies attack. His eye for getting into attacking positions will be crucial, given Chiefs' defensive frailties of late.
Antonio van Wyk: Much like Mendieta, Van Wyk can cause trouble in the final third. With Chiefs lacking in confidence, the striker can complement his fellow attackers with his movement in and around the Chiefs penalty area.
Kaizer Chiefs:
Keagan Dolly: As one of the senior players at the club, Dolly will be counted on in the big games. Yet to fully get in the swing of things this season, Dolly is a match winner at the end of the day and will be relied upon to produce the goods.
Khama Billiat: The Zimbabwean has been lukewarm in the current campaign and is yet to open his account this season. With a trophy up for grabs, Billiat is a seasoned veteran when it comes to winning silverware and could spur his team on with his experience.