Kaizer Chiefs have a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the summit of the Absa Premiership in their clash against Bidvest Wits at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening (6pm).
Mamelodi Sundowns failed to close the gap with Chiefs to one point, following their goalless draw with Orlando Pirates on Tuesday.
Amakhosi will resume their push for the league title after five months of a national lockdown due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The Soweto club are looking to snap their five-year trophy drought. They will be without George Maluleka who was a key cog for the team earlier in the season. He was released after signing a deal with Sundowns.
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Although teams are playing at empty stadiums, coach Ernst Middendorp admits that Chiefs remain under pressure to end the drought.
“It’s definitely something we have been looking forward to. We are all aware of the expectations and the huge task ahead of us,” Middendorp said.
“In the past six weeks we have had three or four days off and have been working hard. It’s a big project that starts on August 12 and the finish is on September 5. We are aware that we have to fulfil our expectations. The players have a good attitude and mood towards the game and everyone is waiting for the start.”
On commencing their title campaign without Maluleka he said: “If the other team would have been another team that was competing with Chiefs for the title, maybe it would have been a different story. But knowing that the new club is Sundowns it was clear that we had to make a decision. He was absolutely one of our core players.”
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Chiefs face a Wits side that is performing its final act before the club ceases to exist. The status of the club was sold to Venda outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
The German tactician warned that Wits should not be taken lightly just because they have been sold.
“We should not get carried away about the club being sold and the players not being committed. I actually think the opposite is the case. They want to finish on a high and show their value as a team. They want to show signing a contract somewhere. It is a very interesting opener for us and we have to be at our best.”
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