Mthethwa urges Kaizer Chiefs to give everything for Red Arrows comeback

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni “Ox” Mthethwa says the club must be prepared to “die on that pitch” as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Zambia’s Red Arrows and reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.

Amakhosi host Red Arrows in the second leg of their second preliminary-round tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 18:00, having lost the opening match in Ndola last weekend.

The South African side are also without a victory in their past four matches in all competitions, recording one defeat and three draws. Victory by at least two goals would secure their progress to the next stage.

“We’ve seen how they play, so now the challenge is to outrun them,” Mthethwa said. “We must also win every ball and make sure we don’t concede. We will die on that pitch if that is what we should do to win.”

Chiefs travelled to Zambia determined to take control of the tie but returned with a narrow disadvantage. Mthethwa believes the home fixture gives them an opportunity to put that result right.

“We went to Zambia to win, but sometimes things don’t pan out the way we want,” he said. “However, now we have a second chance to change our fate. It’s all in our hands, and it’s up to us to decide our fate.”

Chiefs target Confederation Cup progress

Mthethwa has also called for unity between the players and supporters, with Chiefs seeking to progress deep into the competition and ultimately win the Confederation Cup this season.

“We need to stand together as a team, and our fans must also rally behind us,” he said. “We know the importance of winning this second leg because all we want is to make it to the group stages.”

The midfielder said the squad understood the effort required to achieve that ambition.

“Our main aim is to eventually win this Confederation Cup, so we need to pull up our socks and make sure we win the second leg,” Mthethwa added. “We know that good things don’t come easy, so we must sweat for this, and we are willing to do everything we can to win.”

Chiefs will have little time to recover after the match, with their attention turning to the Carling Knockout.

They will host TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium in the first round of that competition next Tuesday. The Soweto derby against their biggest rivals, Orlando Pirates, will then take place at the same venue a few days later.