Chiefs on winning streak

JOHANNESBURG – Amakhosi will be looking at continuing with their winning streak in the league when they welcome the University of Pretoria on Reconciliation Day. Kaizer Chiefs will chase a fourth successive Absa Premiership win when they host University of Pretoria at FNB Stadium on Monday December 16. Kick-off at 20:15.

Chiefs racked up a third straight league victory when they beat Free State Stars 2-0 away from home in late November. The Soweto giants are unbeaten at home this season, with four wins and two draws from six matches. The Amakhosi are placed second on the Absa Premiership log with 21 points from eleven matches. In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and University of Pretoria have had just two previous league meetings.

Tuks took four points off the champions, drawing 1-1 away and winning 1-0 at home on the final day of the league campaign.

Coach Stuart Baxter expressed confidence ahead of the clash, “We have been working hard in the past few days. Obviously we are affected by the current affairs as everybody else. The loss of Madiba has been emotional for everybody. We will see how the players respond on Monday. The players are trying their best to focus on their job in the process of mourning the loss and celebrating Madiba’s legacy. I am glad fullback Tsepo Masilela is back in full training ahead of the tight schedule in the next week. Midfielder George Lebese, who missed training on Wednesday due to a foot injury, was back in full training. Lucky Baloyi is still recovering from the knee injury.”

Ahead of this mouthwatering encounter, Kaizer Chiefs and Coach Stuart Baxter have agreed to continue with their relationship for an additional two years to the current contract effectively until 2016.
The two parties have agreed terms on Thursday December 12. The Executive Chairman Kaizer Motaung, Football Manager Bobby Motaung and Coach Baxter expressed delight at the turn of events from the Boardroom of the Chiefs Headquarters.

“It was imperative for us to renew and extend the contract because it is all about continuity and also being able to continue with our goals. Continuity is important in this kind of setup. We are delighted that we could extend the relationship. The contract is extended for another two years. It means we will be able to achieve much more and be able to reach our goals according to the plans that we have set for the Club. In this kind of business, you need to be able to look at not today but how you progress into the future. It is about sustainability. It is a journey full of challenges and we have to be ready for the challenges ahead,” commented the visionary and Executive Chairman Kaizer Motaung.

“Football in the modern era is very often quick fixes and I think agreeing continuation with our cooperation means Chiefs would like to build something that will last a long time. I was told by my Mentor, former Manchester City Coach Malcolm Allison years ago, “Success is not about how many trophies or medals you can put in your cabinet. Success is about affecting people in a positive way and gaining people’s respect.” I heard that the late Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013) also said it. When we won the double last season, I saw how many people we have affected. I would like to see us continuing to affect people positively and stimulate people to stretch themselves even further,” said a visibly delighted Baxter.

The Chairman and the Coach shook hands in front of a Chiefs replica jersey engraved with Mandela and signed by the late Icon himself on April 5, 2002 when Madiba visited the Village.
A moment of silence will be observed before kickoff. The players who will wear black armbands and other symbolic features in respect to the late Icon Nelson Mandela will form part of the match proceedings.

Tickets for the game are on sale at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers nationwide, at a cost of R40 for adults and R10 for scholars. Gates open at 17:00.