Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs have set their sights on returning to winning ways as they prepare for their return to Betway Premiership action against Richards Bay.
Amakhosi have been out of competitive action for nearly a month now, having last taken to the field in their embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup Semi-finals. Before that, the Naturena-based club had lost against SuperSport United and drawn against the newly promoted Magesi FC in the league.
Sitting in eight on the log, head coach Nasreddine Nabi is targeting a full haul of points against the Natal Rich Boyz, whom he deems a dangerous side battling for their survival.
The two teams will clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium today at 7.30pm, the first two games Chiefs will play in Polokwane this week.
“I’m aware that the situation that Richards Bay finds themselves in is not good. But I have it on good authority that they will give 200% in this fixture,” said Nabi
“That’s not only because they are facing Kaizer Chiefs, but because they are also in desperate need of a positive result. I’ve discussed this at length with my players and we respect Richards Bay and again, know the team will give 200% to achieve a good result.”
The Glamour Boys will head into this encounter without Fiacre Ntwari, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Edson Castillo (all due to injuries) and Inacio Miguel, who is suspended for the second time already this season. Nabi insisted the feisty Angolan international does not have disciplinary issues but is still adjusting to his new environment.
“He is a good guy, he is a ‘captain’. But he is new in South African football. He needs time for adaptation – not only to the football but also the atmosphere,” he explained.
“I think he wants to give his maximum for Kaizer Chiefs, sometimes it is too much! But he has a personality, I love this guy! He has promised me he will be more careful.”
In the Richards Bay camp, the atmosphere is tentative at the moment with the last few weeks full of emotions. The club have elected to not remove head coach Brandon Truter from his post despite their consideration to do so after their Carling Knockout Cup exit.
The 54-year-old coach will be in the dugout against Chiefs and will be hoping to use his ‘lifeline’ to turn things around having registered just one league win in seven outings. Richards Bay currently occupy the 12th spot on the log and is two points off the relegation zone.
If the KwaZulu Natal-based club are to make any significant damage to Chiefs, they’ll need their scoring boots having not scored from open play yet this season