FOR title-chasing Kaizer Chiefs, the Soweto derby against Moroka Swallows tomorrow night will be bigger than against their old rivals Orlando Pirates, Amakhosi captain Itumeleng Khune said yesterday.
"It is going to be hard for us going forward. We are playing Swallows - it's a derby - bigger than Chiefs versus Pirates.
"We, as players, are up for the challenge. We are ready for the game," the goalkeeper said at a joint press conference yesterday.
As the season reaches the business end, every point is crucial for log-leading Chiefs, who have second-placed Platinum Stars hot on their heels with only four points separating the two on the table.
The match kicks off at 6pm at the Dobsonville Stadium.
The Dube Birds also have an agenda for the game - consolidating their place in the top eight on the log, with the ultimate goal being to defend their MTN 8 title next season.
Captain Lefa Tsutsulupa said: "At the beginning of the season we had objectives, one of which was to win the MTN 8 - we achieved that.
"Unfortunately, based on the points that we have collected so far in the league, we can't really say where we will end up. What we do know is that we want to defend out trophy (MTN 8) next season."
The Dube Birds are still licking their wounds following a midweek 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened rookies Chippa United on Wednesday. The defeat proved costly as Swallows slid down the standings from sixth to ninth place.
However, coach Zeca Marques remains confident that his troops can return to winning ways and will be fired up to take on Chiefs. "When we play a team fighting to win the championship, it makes things worse, but we will play as though we are also playing to win [the league]."
The last time the two sides met in the league, a flurry of goals were scored in an exciting encounter. It was Amakhosi who came up on top with a 3-2 win.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter does not expect any less intensity at Dobsonville Stadium.
"I don't see anything being any different this time around. If our players focus on the game, it will be a very good game of football," Baxter said.
Birds won't be sitting ducks
FOR title-chasing Kaizer Chiefs, the Soweto derby against Moroka Swallows tomorrow night will be bigger than against their old rivals Orlando Pirates, Amakhosi captain Itumeleng Khune said yesterday.
"It is going to be hard for us going forward. We are playing Swallows - it's a derby - bigger than Chiefs versus Pirates.
"We, as players, are up for the challenge. We are ready for the game," the goalkeeper said at a joint press conference yesterday.
As the season reaches the business end, every point is crucial for log-leading Chiefs, who have second-placed Platinum Stars hot on their heels with only four points separating the two on the table.
The match kicks off at 6pm at the Dobsonville Stadium.
The Dube Birds also have an agenda for the game - consolidating their place in the top eight on the log, with the ultimate goal being to defend their MTN 8 title next season.
Captain Lefa Tsutsulupa said: "At the beginning of the season we had objectives, one of which was to win the MTN 8 - we achieved that.
"Unfortunately, based on the points that we have collected so far in the league, we can't really say where we will end up. What we do know is that we want to defend out trophy (MTN 8) next season."
The Dube Birds are still licking their wounds following a midweek 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened rookies Chippa United on Wednesday. The defeat proved costly as Swallows slid down the standings from sixth to ninth place.
However, coach Zeca Marques remains confident that his troops can return to winning ways and will be fired up to take on Chiefs. "When we play a team fighting to win the championship, it makes things worse, but we will play as though we are also playing to win [the league]."
The last time the two sides met in the league, a flurry of goals were scored in an exciting encounter. It was Amakhosi who came up on top with a 3-2 win.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter does not expect any less intensity at Dobsonville Stadium.
"I don't see anything being any different this time around. If our players focus on the game, it will be a very good game of football," Baxter said.
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