Kaizer Chiefs turn MTN8 disappointment into motivation for Sekhukhune and Sundowns tests

Kaizer Chiefs defender Thabiso Monyane says the club will use their MTN8 defeat as motivation when they face Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns in two demanding Betway Premiership fixtures at FNB Stadium this week.

Chiefs are still recovering from Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Golden Arrows, which ended their involvement in the MTN8. They now face Sekhukhune on Wednesday before hosting Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, with Monyane saying the defeat had exposed areas that needed immediate improvement.

“All eyes will be on Sekhukhune in this midweek game; the MTN8 result definitely tested us as a group,” Monyane told the club media department.

“We’ve used that as fuel, and it showed us where we need to work and how we need to sharpen ourselves. I think it is a wakeup call for all of us.”

Chiefs are aiming to return to winning ways and preserve their perfect start to the league season, but Monyane expects Babina Noko to provide a stern test.

Sekhukhune have won both of their matches this season across the league and MTN8, giving them an equally strong platform ahead of their meeting with Amakhosi.

“And the preparations for Sekhukhune, I mean, you know it’s a tough team. Hard-running and organised side. So it’s going to be a tough encounter, but I trust the boys to do the work, and for sure we are going for it,” he said.

Monyane added that the prospect of facing Sundowns would not distract Chiefs from the immediate challenge posed by Sekhukhune.

“We know Sundowns are looming in the background, but now it is one game at a time. Sekhukhune has our full attention, and we are going there to get a result.”

The teams met twice in the league last season. Sekhukhune recorded a 3-1 victory over Chiefs at FNB Stadium in the first meeting, but Chiefs responded by winning the return fixture at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Chiefs full-back Reeve Frosler said the squad had reviewed the defeat by Golden Arrows and would have to recover quickly with two more difficult matches ahead.

“We got Sekhukhune on Wednesday, another chance for us to go out there to do what we need to do and get a positive result,” Frosler said.

“We are disappointed with the results, but we have to look forward to Sekhukhune and another one at the weekend.

“We sat down and discussed where we need to improve on, what we need to get better at, and that’s what we are going to do going into Wednesday’s game. Hopefully we can turn things back the way we want to be.”

Midweek and weekend fixtures

Wednesday’s matches include AmaZulu against Pirates at Kings Park, Durban City against Golden Arrows at Chatsworth, Kaizer Chiefs against Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium, and Milford against Siwelele at Richards Bay.

Stellenbosch face Gallants at Athlone on Friday.

On Saturday, Chiefs host Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium at 15:00, while Sekhukhune meet Polokwane at Seshego at 17:30. Durban face Bay at Chatsworth at 20:00, and Milford play Kruger at Sugar Ray Xulu at 20:00.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with Chippa against Pirates at Kings Park at 15:00, followed by Galaxy against Golden Arrows at Solomon Mahlangu at 17:30.

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