IT MAY be only February but tonight’s Absa Premiership clash at the Bidvest Stadium (7.30pm) between title hopefuls Bidvest Wits and defending champions Kaizer Chiefs has turned into a last chance saloon for both clubs.
A draw is no good for either side.
Both need a win to keep their hopes of catching runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns alive.
Downs moved to 42 points from 18 matches on Sunday after trouncing Free State Stars 5-2 in Orkney. Wits are second but are six points behind while fourth placed Amakhosi are a whopping 10 points adrift of Pitso Mosimane’s impressive Brazilians, who currently look unstoppable.
Downs play unpredictable Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium tomorrow and a win over Bucs would see the Tshwane based outfit take another giant step towards winning the title.
Amakhosi, who struggled to an unconvincing 3-2 win at home over bottom club Maritzburg United, have not been consistent enought to retain their title. They have drawn eight of their 18 fixtures so far and tonight’s game is a win-or-bust 90 minutes for them.
Komphela admitted he was not happy with his side after they scraped home against his former employers.
Good news for Amakhosi is the return from suspension of tough-as-teak central defender Mulomowandau “Tower” Mathoho and Reneilwe Letsholonyane. Mathoho is set to partner Lorenzo Gordinho, who scored the last gasp winner against Maritzburg at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
But Tsepo Masilela will miss this one due to suspension.
Added Komphela on tonight’s vital showdown: “We are both chasing log leaders Sundowns. We both want the three points badly. It will be an interesting game.”
There will be plenty of fireworks in what promises to be a highly charged clash.
Gavin Hunt’s Students have also not shown enough consistency and an injury to England born striker James Keene, who has scored five goals in his short stay at Wits, will be worrying considering the suspension of midfielder Phumlani Ntshangase.
Both Chiefs and Wits have duties in the respective Caf competitions at the weekend.
Chiefs are away to Comores champions Volcan Club de Moroni in the preliminary round of the Champions League, while Wits travel to the Seychelles where they play unknown Light Stars in their opening Confederation Cup fixture.
