Kaizer Chiefs duo of Lebogang Manyama and Khama Billiat celebrate goal. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – RESURGENT log leaders Kaizer Chiefs host unpredictable Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night in an Absa Premiership match.
Amakhosi lead the 16-team Absa log standing with 16 points from seven outings while their rival Abafana Bes’thende are placed seventh with 10 points from the same number of games played to date.
Chiefs, who narrowly edged Baroka FC 1-0 last weekend in order to regain their pole position, will be without number one goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and midfielder George Maluleka following injuries.
Head coach Ernst Middendorp will be called to introduce Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi in place of Khune while Zimbabwe international Willard Katsande will be expected to take over from Maluleka.
However, all eyes will again be on the Absa Premiership’s most expensive asset, Zimbabwean midfielder Khama Billiat, who of late has been unselfishly creating scoring chances for fellow strikers.
Billiat also has the ability to score vital goals.
Other Chiefs players likely to come to the party against Arrows are towering defender Eric Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso and Lorenzo Gordinho to ensure protection to Akpeyi.
The battle will be in the midfield where Katsande and Kearyn Baccus are expected to contain Arrows’ Danny Phiri and Danny Venter.
Phiri and Venter have given Zimbabwe’s free scoring Knox M’tizwa, who to date scored four goals in three starts, the freedom to attack
Head coach Steve Komphela, who once coached Chiefs will ensure M’tizwa is supported upfront by hard running Lerato Lamola and Nduduzo Sibiya.
Goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda will again rely on defenders Musa Bilankulu, Bongani Kama, Divine Lunga and Siyabonga Dube to thwart Chiefs strikers.
Elsewhere at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Eastern Cape, crisis-torn Chippa United host Bidvest Wits while league anchors AmaZulu entertain another off-form side, Cape Town City, who are 10th on the log with eight points from seven games.
On Wednesday, Black Leopards will host defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Thohoyandou Stadium.
Newly transformed Maritzburg United entertain wounded Baroka FC at Harry Gwala Stadium while second positioned Polokwane City lock horns with newcomers Stellenbosch at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
FULL FIXTURES
Chippa United Vs Bidvest Wits, Sisa Dukashe Stadium (19:30)
AmaZulu FC Vs Cape Town City FC, King Zwelithini Stadium (19:30)
Kaizer Chiefs Vs Golden Arrows, FNB Stadium (19:30)
WEDNESDAY:
Black Leopards Vs Mamelodi Sundowns, Thohoyandou Stadium (19:30hrs)
Maritzburg United Vs Baroka FC, Harry Gwala Stadium (19:30)
Polokwane City Vs Stellenbosch, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (19:30.
– CAJ News