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

Kaizer Chiefs will use their MTN8 elimination as motivation when they face Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns in two demanding Betway Premiership matches at FNB Stadium this week.

Chiefs were knocked out of the MTN8 after a 1-0 defeat by Golden Arrows on Sunday. They return to league action against Sekhukhune on Wednesday before hosting Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, with defender Thabiso Monyane saying the loss had highlighted areas that required attention.

“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 looking to recover immediately and preserve their perfect start to their league campaign, but Monyane expects an organised and physically demanding contest against Sekhukhune.

Babina Noko have won both of their matches this season across the league and the MTN8, and will arrive at FNB Stadium hoping to extend that unbeaten run.

“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.

Although Saturday’s meeting with Sundowns is already on the horizon, Monyane insisted Chiefs would not look beyond their next fixture.

“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.”

Sekhukhune defeated Chiefs 3-1 at FNB Stadium in the teams’ first meeting last season. Amakhosi responded in the return fixture by winning at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Full-back Reeve Frosler said Chiefs had to put their disappointment behind them and concentrate on the opportunity to respond in the league.

“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.”

The midweek programme also includes AmaZulu against Pirates at Kings Park, Durban City versus Golden Arrows at Chatsworth and Milford’s meeting with Siwelele in Richards Bay on Wednesday.

Stellenbosch play Gallants at Athlone on Friday.

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

Sunday’s fixtures see Chippa face Pirates at Kings Park at 15:00, followed by Galaxy against Arrows at Solomon Mahlangu at 17:30.