Kaizer Chiefs are gunning for redemption as they travel to Chippa United who they meet in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon. Chiefs are mourning the loss of defender Luke Fleurs and will be looking to honour him with a win against Chippa at Buffalo City Municipality Stadium.
Meeting Chippa is more of a challenge for Chiefs who are seriously struggling and the loss of a team member comes to add to their woes. Coach Cavin Johnson will have his work cut out to ensure his troops are motivated. For the hosts, Chippa is enjoying a fine run as they are chasing their second win in a row. The Chilli Boys have their tails up after beating during the week.
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs Match Details:
- Date: April 06, 2024
- Time: 3:00 PM SAST
- Venue: Buffalo City Municipality Stadium, East London
Chippa United: Under coaches Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo, Chippa has two losses out of four matches in all competitions. Their defeats in the league came at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City. On the other hand, they beat Ravens in the Nedbank Cup and Cape Town Spurs earlier this week. Welcoming Chiefs means they will want to retain their winning run. On top of that, they have pressure to move up the log table as they sit 11th with 26 points on the log table.
Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi are seriously struggling in the league as they are winless in three matches. They were beaten by Orlando Pirates, drew against Cape Town City, and succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch on Tuesday night. Johnson and his men are now mourning Fleurs’ demise and it remains to be seen how they respond this weekend. Chiefs now have 30 points at number eight and have eight matches to wrap up their disastrous campaign.
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs Key Battles To Watch:
Given Msimango vs Bienvenu Eva Nga: The Amakhosi central defender has the toughest task on the day. Msimango will have to neutralise the speedy forwards of the Chilli Boys. Led by Eva Nga, the former Pirates striker will look to redeem himself and score against the Soweto giants.
Goodman Mosele vs Sibongiseni Mthethwa: The battle for maximum points will be won and lost in the middle of the park. The former Pirates star, Mosele is under pressure to solidify the hosts’ midfield and justify his recent call-up to the national side. For Mthethwa, Ox is struggling to find his rhythm and has come under pressure from the fans to show his worth.
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs Head to Head:
Reflecting on the previous statistics between the two teams, Chippa and Chiefs have played 23 games since 2012. Among them, the hosts have claimed seven wins while Chiefs have won 13. However, three were drawn. Amakhosi have 27 goals while the Chilli Boys have 16 next to their name.
Chippa United vs Chippa United Coaches:
Kwanele Kopo: Kopo is slowly establishing himself as one of the forces to be reckoned with. He has joined forces with September and their mission is to claim the scalp of a big gun. Kopo is no stranger to the top flight as he cut his teeth with SuperSport United.
Cavin Johnson: The Amakhosi interim manager has pressure mounting on his shoulders and will look to ease the club’s woes. Chiefs have targets to return to CAF interclub football but with this pace, things are not looking rosy for the Naturena-based giants.
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs What The Coaches Said:
”Always, I believe that. They haven’t given up hope, we need to find the right player to score the goals and as a group, we are struggling to get that. Not to be tonight, but the team and I, we are still together,” said Johnson.
‘‘Look we there, and like I said there’s no interim coach anywhere in the world. You do the job because you are offered the job to do it at that moment and you have to do your best. Right now we are trying our best as a group of people and if it works you clap hands and say thank you. You ask the team to decide what they want to do and that’s where I am at the moment.”
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs Fan Sentiments:
Judging the nature of the clash and the growing rivalry between the clubs, it is evident that the match will attract a big crowd. With Chippa taking the match to East London, they are looking for support but Chiefs will have more fans. However, their fans are losing confidence in the team.
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs Prediction:
Amakhosi might be the underdogs and mourning their teammate but that can turn out to be a motivating factor. While that cannot be easy as the PSL announced a moment of silence for Fleurs, Chippa will look to capitalise on the shaky mindset.
Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs What’s Next:
After this encounter, Chippa has a Nedbank Cup meeting against TS Galaxy on the 14th of April while Chiefs will turn their focus to the match against Richards Bay on April 20.
Related: Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi Confirm Defender’s Tragic Passing
