Kaizer Chiefs go into the annual Macufe Cu
p with an upper hand following three successive wins in the PSL league and positioning them atop the log.
They face the troubled Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday at the Free State Stadium, knowing a win will put a smile on their hard to please fans. Its no secret AmaKhosi would want to win the cup at all cost to appease their ancestors (makhosi).
Siwelele prop the table having failed to win a game in their first three fixtures; scoring one goal.
So, expect war because Celtics’ are the defending champs of Macufe and a loose will completely derail the team and fans could react badly, and coach Serame Letsoaka knows that at the back of his mind.
Letsoaka explained that the Macufe Cup gives him the chance to look at fringe players, eager to break into the first team.
“It will be a different ball game altogether, but this is one game where we will actually try and give a chance to those players who haven’t played this season – we are hoping they will come to the party and we will definitely expect a good game,” Letsoaka told Goal website.
On their readiness for Macufe, Bernard Parker -Chiefs striker conceded:”It is a good competition for us, especially now that we have not been doing well. We are trying to build momentum and it comes in at a point where we really want to see the other players that haven’t had a chance to play.
“Even if we were playing well, it would have been a chance to give the fringe players a run-out. It gives a chance at momentum heading into the next league game against Platinum Stars.
“The game on Sunday is very important for us, especially to keep momentum of the spirit we have,” he said. “It is always important for the players that don’t get much game time to get some minutes, to get them updated with the rest of the squad.
“With the team spirit that we have – that is going to add a lot to the team. The game is very important for all of us.
The 30-year-old believes a shift in thinking has played its role in the Glamour Boys recovering from a disappointing start to the season.
“I think it was just a mental switch, the slow start we had – we didn’t play badly and we put in a lot of hard work,” Parker continued. “I just think the mental shift that we had in terms of the team building exercises that we did to get ourselves in the right frame of mind has definitely paid off.
“The wins definitely did boost our confidence and the guys are in a great frame of mind, confident and we are also good physically. Winning this game Macufe Cup will keep up our spirits and we just want to continue and build from here.
The game wraps-up the week long annual Macufe festivities in Bloem.
It begins from 15:00
Tickets available at Computicket from R60, R50 & R30 for juveniles.
