The question on many fans and perhaps even on the mind of Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic all week long could well have been whether the Amakhosi would be able to quickly regain their focus after last weekend’s Telkom Knockout Cup Final triumph over Orlando Pirates.

Chiefs have a tricky Absa Premiership fixture away to Free State Stars in Botshabelo on Saturday afternoon to focus on as they look to get their title aspirations back on track after their 3-2 loss to Vasco Da in their last league game a fortnight ago.

Well if history is anything to go by then Chiefs fans and their coach need not worry, after their previous seven Telkom Knockout Cup successes Chiefs have generally done well in their following fixture. Whether it be in a cup or league game.

Their record after their seven successes in the Telkom Knockout Cup going back to 1997 makes for good reading as Chiefs have won four games, drawn two and lost just one game in their next game after the final.

With a host of Chiefs players who have won Cup titles in the past in his squad coach Vladimir Vermezovic knows that he has their experience and professionalism to count, as they put the Cup final success behind them and hope to return from the Free State with three points.

Chiefs have already faced Stars this season which was during a fiercestly contested Telkom Knockout Cup Quarterfinal game, Chiefs won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Sthembiso Ngocobo and Knowledge Musona.

For Ngcobo scorer of a brace during the last week’s Cup Final it is an emotional return to the Free State as he faces his former team for the second time this season but it will be his first trip back to the Free State since joining Chiefs in the off season.

Another of Chiefs Free State Stars old boys Siphiwe Tshabalala who was also on target for the Amakhosi during the Telkom Knockout Cup Final victory over Pirates, is unavailable for the game as he is in a period of mourning following the passing away of his mother this past Sunday.

During their clashes last season Chiefs managed to defeat Stars home and away, during the twenty previous PSL clashes between the teams the Amakhosi have generally done well against them losing just two of these games while notching up thirteen wins with five other games ending in a draw.

Games between Chiefs and Stars are generally high scoring encounters with their previous twenty PSL encounters producing 30 goals at an average of 2.2 goals per game, while Chiefs have a goal scoring ratio of 1.65 goals per game against Stars in league action.