JOHANNESBURG – After a stumbling start to the season, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is looking to make a statement when his team host Platinum Stars in a Premiership match at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.
Chiefs lost their opening league match to Bidvest Wits and also went down to Cape Town City in the MTN8.
Komphela feels it is now important that his side bounce back.
“Apart from this being the first home game, it is our second league match of the season,” he told the club’s website. “At some point, we have to send a strong message to the opponents.”
Having been out of action for the international break, Komphela admits there is always the concern that players may not be as sharp as they should be, but says this is not an excuse.
“You will never know where you exactly stand until you go through the match,” he said. “You don’t want to come up with excuses because all the teams went through the same period. We must just guard that the break won’t affect us negatively.
“We saw them (Stars) play against Chippa (in the MTN8. When teams play us, they often look different. It is a known fact, as they will be playing Chiefs tomorrow. There will be that individual desire to play at a big stage. For most teams, this is an important date in the fixtures calendar.
“We have a few niggling injuries,” he explained. “The medical team will give us an indication on Emmanuel Letlotlo, but Keagan Buchanan will not be rushed to play in this one.”
Last season Platinum Stars were too good for Chiefs, winning 2-1 away and 2-0 at home in the league.
