Kaizer Chiefs start their year on Sunday when they play Cape Town City in the Premier Soccer League outing to be staged at the DHL Cape Town Stadium.
Amakhosi ended 2024 with a 1-0 win over Chippa United which happened to be their first clean sheet in the ongoing league campaign. The Rockets had been blowing hot and cold under former coach Eric Tinkler.
Muhsin Ertugral, who coached Orlando Pirates and Chiefs in the past, was confirmed as the new coach on an interim basis.
Form Guide and Head-to-Head record
Cape Town City have not been delivering as anticipated; they have lost three out of the last four league games. It is a record that contributed to Tinkler's exit as the club's head coach a couple of days ago.
The Soweto giants have two wins, as many draws and a loss in the last five outings which means the team is slowly getting back after initial struggles that saw them win one game in seven outings.
In the head-to-head record, City have won three out of the last five PSL games, losing once and drawing once as well.
What they said
Ahead of the game, Amakhosi defender Given Msimango was asked about the sentiments made by coach Nasreddine Nabi regarding signing players who are at ‘Chiefs level'.
“I think, to be honest, that question is directed to him per se. As a player, I can only do what I’m employed to do for the club,” he stated.
“The people that brought me to this club believe in me as a player and I believe in myself. So, any other comments besides Given’s, I think, should be directed to the coach. He can maybe elaborate more on what he meant by that.
“I cannot speak for everyone. But self-confidence is nothing that I’ve never lacked as an individual. I know who I am, I know where I stand with my game. I know where I need to improve. I’m not perfect, and I stand on that. I speak for Given Msimango right now.
“I take it like any other critique I’ve taken ever in my professional footballing career, I take it on my stride, I hear it, I take it in, and I choose what I keep in my mind. I choose what I get to work on, and I don’t allow it to influence who I am,” Msimango concluded.
Team News and Starting XI
Gaston Sirino was absent against Chippa United; the club was not specific on what kept him out, especially after the initial update that he was injured. Bruce Bvuma is expected to keep his place in goal ahead of Fiacre Ntwari.
Cape Town City have no recent injury concerns meaning coach Ertugral has the pleasure of playing his best players on Sunday.
City Probable XI: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Nyama, Petrus, Domingo, Gonzalez, Ziba, Rhodes, Tijueza, Amato
Chiefs Probable XI: Bvuma, Miguel, Frosler, Ditlhokwe, Dortley, Maart, Mmodi, Mthethwa, Shabalala, Duba, Du Preez
Where to watch
The game will be played from 17.45 SAT and will be broadcast by SuperSport Channel 202.
