Chiefs ready for Chilli Boys challenge

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 06, 2018. 14:00

Kaizer Chiefs will target three Absa Premiership points when they host Chippa United at FNB Stadium on 7 April 2018, kick-off at 15h00.

Chiefs returned to winning form in the league by defeating Free State Stars 1-0 away on April 4, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Teenage Hadebe. The Soweto side had gone three matches without a victory prior to their midweek trip to Bethlehem.

The Amakhosi have claimed 16 points from 12 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a goalless stalemate with AmaZulu on March 17.

Chippa suffered a third loss from their last four league matches when they were beaten 2-0 at log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on April 4. The Eastern Cape side has won just one of their last nine matches in the top flight.

The Chilli Boys have claimed just 12 points from 12 away matches this season, with their last win on the road a 2-0 triumph at AmaZulu on January 7.

In head-to-head stats, Chippa and Chiefs have met in nine league matches since 2012/13. The Amakhosi have claimed five wins compared to three for the Chilli Boys, while one match has been drawn. The Soweto giants have won three of their four home league matches against the Eastern Cape side, suffering one defeat in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, Chippa claimed a 1-0 home win in early December thanks to a goal from Abel Mabaso. The Amakhosi have won just one of the last five league matches between the teams, having won all of the first four.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Stars on April 4: Khune, Cardoso, Mathoho, Hadebe, Mphahlele (Jayiya 82’), Katsande, Ekstein, Zulu (Zuma 68’), Tshabalala, Moon (Parker 59’), Castro.

Chippa’s line-up from their 2-0 loss to Sundowns on April 4: Akpeyi, Mabaso, Okwuosa, Konqobe, Lentjies (Lentjies 77’), Mntambo, Sali (Macuphu 68’), Mako, Mayambela, Rakhale (Mbokoma 73’), Macheke.