Posted in News on Jan 11, 2007.
Although Chiefs began the second round of league fixtures with a loss to SuperSport United last Saturday, The Amakhosi were able to pick up the pieces and were a much improved team during a 0-0 draw against Silver Stars on Wednesday evening in Rustenburg.
Even though Chiefs' game against the league leaders ended in a dead rubber, the score line was not a true reflection of the game as Stars had goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands to thank for making a number of telling saves during the game.
Chiefs were made to rue their missed chances, as a win against Stars would have seen them move a point behind the log leaders.
Sunday’s game against Benoni United who have lost some of the sparkle they displayed earlier in the season, presents Chiefs with a real opportunity of getting their title hopes back on track.
Ernst Middendorp will not expect anything less then victory on Sunday, although he is aware that Benoni will try to stop Chiefs at all costs.
Overview
The first official league or cup game contested between Chiefs and Benoni Premier United on the 10th September 2006 ended in a goalless draw as some stubborn defending by Premier United ensured for a frustrating afternoon for Chiefs. Although Chiefs did have a number of clear-cut chances in the September game they found United keeper Mandlenkosi Tsengwa in inspired form.
Form
Benoni Premier United started off the season on a high note and sent out a clear message to anyone who thought that they were in the PSL just to make up numbers that they needed a rethink.
Such was the rabbits impressive start to the season, that based on their solid start to the 2006 – 2007 season, they were able to secure a kit sponsorship from a famous German based kit manufacturer. In recent times though things have not gone particularly well for them as they have lost three games in a row, they did mange to defeat second place Bidvest Wits in a league game back in December.
They ended off 2006 by losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in their last game of last year by five goals to two, and started off in 2007 with back-to-back defeats to Ajax Cape Town and most recently Lamontville Golden Arrows.
A faltering Benoni United come Chiefs way on Sunday and Benoni’s current run of form could play into the hands of The Amakhosi, Ernst Middendorp though will want his team to guard against being complacent.
Chiefs were much improved in midweek against Silver Stars, and will be looking to carry that form forward with them to Sunday’s game and will try to get onto the score sheet early on in this game.
Many would put their money on Chiefs getting a hat full of goals against a defence who have leaked in nine goals in their last five games. With the likes of Siyabonga Nkosi back to bolster The Amakhosi, Chiefs should be looking to go one better against Benoni United then they managed against Stars on in midweek.
Key Players
Siyabonga Nkosi, as was mentioned earlier, makes a return to the Chiefs team for this game after serving a one match suspension. Nkosi was pivotal to Chiefs' success towards the end of 2006 when the Bafana Bafana midfielder was also one of Chiefs' star performers in the loss to SuperSport.
Playing along side Nkosi, Ernst Middendorp will be hoping that Gerald Sibeko can give Benoni United as tough a time as he gave the Silver Stars defence. Sibeko has been making great strides in recent games and has begun to come into his own, against Silver Stars he was amongst Chiefs best players and linked up well with the front men.
The Chiefs coach will also turn to his captain Fabian McCarthy and hope he once again leads by example as he did against Silver Stars, McCarthy marked Stars dangerous striker Heirapo Marumo out of Wednesday’s game. Fabian will be expected to put up the same kind of disciplined display against Benoni that he did during Wednesday evenings match, as a solid defensive performance could lay the foundation to a Chiefs victory.
Tshepo Masilela remains Benoni United’s danger man although he has not gotten many goals this term. Masilela has previously demonstrated that he wants to impress against the big teams as he looks for a deal at the end of the season which will perhaps take him to one of the leagues heavyweights.
While Masilela remains a threat in midfield, upfront Benoni United have the tricky Sello Mhlambi, who has found five goals for his team this season.
Results Kaizer Chiefs Vs Benoni Premier United since 2006 – 2007
2006 – 2007
Benoni Premier United 0 Kaizer Chiefs 0
Head to head Kaizer Chiefs Vs Benoni Premier United since 2006 – 2007 season
P | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | |
Kaizer Chiefs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Benoni Premier United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kaizer Chiefs' last five league results:
9th December 2006
Kaizer Chiefs 1 Orlando Pirates 1
17th December 2006
Kaizer Chiefs 6 Maritzburg United 1
20th December 2006
Kaizer Chiefs 3 Santos 2
6th January 2007
Kaizer Chiefs 0 SuperSport United 2
10th January 2007
Silver Stars 0 Kaizer Chiefs 0
Benoni Premier United last five league results
6th December 2006
Jomo Cosmos 0 Benoni Premier United 1
10th December 2006
Benoni Premier United 2 Bidvest Wits 1
13th December 2006
Mamelodi Sundowns 5 Benoni Premier United 2
5th January 2007
Ajax Cape Town 2 Benoni Premier United 1
10th January 2007
Lamontville Golden Arrows 1 Benoni Premier United 0
Kaizer Chiefs Vs Benoni Premier United head to head last five league games
P | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
Kaizer Chiefs | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
Benoni Premier United | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 6 |
