KAIZER Chiefs have been relying too much on Itumeleng Khune’s saves, which has helped them concede fewer goals and ultimately win or draw matches they could have lost.
Khune’s heroics between the sticks has saved Chiefs on numerous occasions, with the 30-year-old goal-minder producing award-winning performances.
And his heroics haven’t gone unnoticed.
Bernard Parker has called on his teammates to complement Khune’s performance by scoring goals to win matches.
In essence, he is calling on them to come to the party.
Amakhosi travel to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth tonight, where they have an Absa Premiership date with Chippa United (7.30pm).
This clash promises to be a real humdinger, considering the intensity of their previous meeting where the verbal jabs flew between Chiefs coach Steve Komphela and his Chippa counterpart Teboho Moloi, ultimately forcing the former to apologise.
The Telkom Knockout quarterfinal match ended 1-0 in Chiefs’ favour, with Parker scoring the all-important goal.
Parker and teammate Daniel Cardoso agree that Chiefs should give their fans a big Christmas gift in the form of victories in all three their remaining league matches to add a good nine points to their tally.
Khune came to Chiefs’ rescue when he saved a penalty in their goalless draw with AmaZulu in Durban and the Bafana Bafana No 1 was in top form again in the 1-1 draw with Free State Stars in their previous match.
But Parker and Cardoso admit tonight’s match will be a different ball game.
Parker said: “We know what to expect from Chippa, having played them in a cup match two weeks ago. We want to collect maximum points in our last three games to give our fans a great Christmas present. Personally I haven’t been in great form. I have not been scoring.
“Our goalkeeper has been brilliant but we have to start scoring goals to give him a breather in goal.”
Parker added that the Chilli Boys would come at them guns blazing, saying he expects a tough game from the Eastern Cape outfit.
“They and their coach were not happy after they lost the cup match to us. We expect a tough game.
“It won’t be a surprise if they come at us strongly from the outset, as they are gunning for revenge.”
Cardoso jumped in: “Chippa are a great side. It’s going to be a difficult game for us. But we want to get a win and give our fans something to cheer about.
“Chippa will be eyeing revenge after the cup loss but we will be up for it.”