Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt put the finishing touches on his team’s preparations for the DStv Premiership clash against Cape Town City on Saturday Afternoon at the Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City.

Following their final training session on Friday morning at the Kaizer Chiefs village in Naturena, Chiefs head to Cape Town buoyed by their midweek win over AmaZulu, but aware of the gravity of their next assignment.

The trip to Cape Town comes quick on the heels of Chiefs’ last league clash on Wednesday afternoon in Durban. Coach Hunt believes that despite the short turnaround time between games, Chiefs are ready for their challenging schedule ahead.

“It’s very difficult since the start of the year,” he admits. “We have played a lot of games in a short space of time. We play Tuesday again after Saturday’s game. It is part and parcel of what is ahead of us.”

As Chiefs head to Cape Town, Hunt will be wary of a another physically demanding encounter like the one Chiefs faced in Durban three days ago. “Wednesday’s game against AmaZulu was a physical one. We are going to make a few changes here and there but nothing too drastic.”

With Khama Billiat sidelined for two months because of injury, Hunt was pleased to have some familiar faces back on the training ground this week, although they may not all make the trip to Cape Town.

“Lebogang Manyama is back in training,” he confirms. “He is still not yet match fit but it’s great to have more options. Erick Mathoho is observing Covid-19 Protocols and is in quarantine after attending the funeral of his late father. Willard Katsande has also started training and Reeve Frosler is running around but no contact training as yet. The right back position was a big problem for us, but Siyabonga Ngezana has done very well there so far.”

While the treatment room at the Chiefs village was full, keeping the club’s medical staff busy of late, there was some reprieve on the injury front for Hunt as Kearyn Baccus came back and made a substitute appearance against AmaZulu after being sidelined for around six weeks. “Baccus being back gives you extra legs in midfield,” adds Hunt. “Obviously an area where we don’t have a lot of numbers. With all the games coming up, he is going to have to start sooner or later … we will see.”

Turning his attention to his next opponents, the Chiefs coach who has faced Cape Town City on 10 previous occasions in league games had high praise for the team who currently occupy fifth spot on the log standings.

“They are a good football side,” he concludes. They are a difficult side to play against and a very well-run club that needs a lot of respect.

“The recent signing of Justin Shonga is a great move for them. He is someone many teams would have taken if they had the opportunity. He’s good striker, good finisher, quick and sharp. He will definitely add value for them.”

Chiefs will be hoping to record back-to-back league wins and return from the Mother City with three valuable points which will assist their climb up the table.

Soka25east.com