‘We all know Eric Tinkler‚’ says Kaizer Chiefs’ Ramahlwe Mphahlele

Kaizer Chiefs have to be “120 percent alert” against desperate‚ last-placed Maritzburg United in Saturday evening’s Absa Premiership clash at FNB Stadium‚ Amakhosi right-back Ramahlwe Mphahlele has said.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has said that Mphahlele and left-sided player Philani Zulu’s recent returns from injury have brought an energy to his squad.

Bafana Bafana defender Mphahlele has cautioned that Maritzburg – showing signs of a late revival under coach Eric Tinkler in their desperate fight against relegation – can be among the most dangerous opponents Chiefs might face at the moment.

“Ja‚ Eric is a tactician‚ Eric is a disciplinarian. We all know Eric‚ you know‚” Mphahlele said.

“He’ll be there‚ shouting and pushing the boys.

“For us‚ it’s the same medicine. We just go out‚ work hard and fight to get everything. Go out and fight for each other.

“Go out and try and win the game. Which is what we are going to try and do. We are playing at home‚ so there’s no excuse why we shouldn’t win the game.

“Especially since we know who were are coming up against. If we were playing against a team who were in the top eight‚ and they were OK‚ maybe we would approach the game differently.

“But now we know that we are coming up against someone who is wounded and they want to get the three points. So we have to be 120 percent alert.”

United suffered a major hangover at the start of the season from their most successful campaign in 2017-18‚ where they finished fourth in the league and reached a first cup final in the Nedbank Cup.

By Christmas‚ coach Fadlu Davids had been sacked and replaced in a brief stint by Muhsin Ertugral.

Following former SuperSport United and Chippa United coach Tinkler’s arrival on January 29 Maritzburg have pulled off two huge home wins from their past four matches (and two away defeats) – beating Polokwane City 3-1 and AmaZulu 2-1.

They remain desperate on 17 points from 22 games‚ three behind second-last Chippa on 20 from 22.

Seventh-placed Chiefs (22 games played) are eight points behind leaders Orlando Pirates with a game in hand.

PSL this weekend –

Saturday:

Highlands Park v Baroka FC (Makhulong Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

Polokwane City v Lamontville Golden Arrows (Peter Mokaba Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United (FNB Stadiumm 6pm)

AmaZulu v Bidvest Wits (King Zwelithini Stadium ‚ 8.15pm)

Sunday:

SuperSport United v Free State Stars (Lucas Moripe Stadium‚ 3.30pm)

Black Leopards v Chippa United (Thohoyandou Stadium‚ 3.30pm)