Kaizer Chiefs seek to reignite league form against Durban City

Kaizer Chiefs will be eager to end their winless streak and get their league campaign back on track when they visit Durban City for their Betway Premiership clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening (7.30pm kick-off).

Fresh from securing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, Amakhosi will be looking to end a difficult run in the league. Chiefs are winless in their last four league matches, having drawn three of those contests following a heavy 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium in mid-September.

The team has struggled to regain the confidence that defined their early-season form, and with only a slender advantage over fifth-placed City, they have the chance to extend the gap and assert themselves against the KwaZulu-Natal side.

This will be the first meeting between Chiefs and City this season. While there is limited history between the two clubs, all eyes will be on former SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt, who could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. Hunt was instrumental in Chiefs’ difficulties last season — when coaching Matsatsantsa a Pitori, he orchestrated a surprise 4-1 victory over his former side.

Having guided the KZN outfit to an impressive start this season — just one point behind the Soweto giants despite having played a match more — Hunt presents a formidable challenge for Amakhosi.

Chiefs’ 3-1 victory over DR Congo side AS Simba in the Confederation Cup last weekend temporarily calmed concerns surrounding the team, which had been building after the recent coaching change.

With Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef taking over from Nasreddine Nabi, the club had been missing the spark and confidence that carried them through the early stages of the season. However, midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo believes they have prepared well to bring maximum points back home.

“We know how dangerous Durban City are,” Ngcobo said ahead of the match. “We have prepared really well on our game plan, and we are ready to go, work hard and collect the three points.

“It is games like these, against sides that are this close to you, that you need to win, and we are very focused and ready.”

While their three first-half goals in continental competition provided some relief, Chiefs’ league goal-scoring record remains a concern that must be addressed if they are to break their domestic winless run.

The 25-year-old added that their win against Simba will give them confidence and momentum heading into the next contest.

“The season is very long, and you get different phases in a season,” Ngcobo continued. “We started very well but have recently had a dip, but as professionals, we know how to handle such situations. We will now take the momentum from the past weekend to ensure that we get back to winning ways and collect more points.”

In a season that will demand a lot — not only in terms of performance but also the physical requirements of travel and staying sharp — Ngcobo complimented the squad depth, believing it will be helpful given their busy fixture schedule.

“It’s not easy, but with the squad we have, there are a lot of players that can compete. It shouldn’t be something difficult. We will be able to manage it because we have enough players to do so.”