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Aces a wildcard that could trump Chiefs

CONFIDENT: Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Clive Barker
CONFIDENT: Mpumalanga Black Aces coach Clive Barker

BLACK Aces' unpredictability might just be the banana skin to finally end Kaizer Chiefs' remarkable Absa Premiership run at FNB Stadium tomorrow (3.30pm).

Chiefs will break Orlando Pirates' record set in 2004-05 of 17 matches unbeaten, which they matched in midweek, if they win or draw against Aces.

Certainly, on their day, Clive Barker's stylish assortment of ball players and gifted attackers can pick apart any team.

They will find out if the spectacularly consistent Chiefs can be one of them tomorrow in the final round of matches before the Christmas and Africa Cup of Nations break.

"If you didn't know, we are unbeaten on the road so far and I'm delighted for the success of Aces. We are not a huge club, but we play the best football in South Africa . better than Kaizer Chiefs," Barker told Kickoff.com after his side's 3-1 victory against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Showing how unpredictable they can be, Aces followed that result with a 2-2 draw against Free State Stars, then 2-0 defeat against Bloemfontein Celtic, both at home.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was quietly confident this week in response to Barker's assertion.

Considering his side's form - their victories in the past week against Free State Stars and Chippa United made it 13 wins and four draws from 17 games - who can blame him?

"I think Aces do play good football," Baxter said after his side's 2-1 victory against Stars in Polokwane on Tuesday. "And on a good day they can pass around you and through you."