HIGHLANDS Park head coach Allan Freese is hoping to add Kaizer Chiefs’ scalp to that of Baroka FC but will not make the mistake of taking the wounded giants for granted when they clash at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa tomorrow (7.30pm).
Amakhosi have picked up a solitary point from two Absa Premiership matches.
But Freese, who won the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout with Platinum Stars in 2013 and beat Amakhosi 1-0 along the way, knows how difficult Chiefs can be, even when they are off-form.
Amakhosi head coach Steve Komphela finds himself under pressure early in the season after picking up just one point from a 1-1 draw with Dikwena.
But what has added to the pressure on him is the fact that Chiefs were beaten by another new side, Cape Town City, who ran out 1-0 victors in the MTN8 quarterfinals.
Said Freese: “I don’t know which Chiefs team will pitch up against us. They have not been doing well but they are a big team and we won’t underestimate them. They badly need a result and so do we, as we are playing at home. We can’t get complacent.”
He said he was thrilled with his side’s 2-1 win over Baroka in the opening fixture, adding that he wanted the players to continue with that momentum.
Said Freese: “We showed character to come back from 1-0 down and then win despite having three penalties against us. That showed real spirit. I want the players to continue where they left off against Baroka.”
The Tembisa venue is expected to be bursting at the seams for Highlands’ second home match. Fans will be itching to see Collins Mbesuma and Charlton Mashumba resume their strike partnership which produced both goals against Baroka.
Mbesuma will be hoping to add more misery to his former club, Chiefs.
Said Freese: “I’m delighted with the way the players have responded.”
Chiefs fans usually outnumber opponents no matter where they play – but the playing field might be more level in soccer-starved Tembisa. Said Freese: “Chiefs will have lots of support but so will we, and that home support will help us.”
