Underdogs ready to upset giants

Very few pundits have given Black Africa much of a chance of success against Kaizer Chiefs when the two clubs meet in their preliminary round of the Caf Champions League on Saturday evening.

In fact, the Namibian Champions have pretty much been written off by the South African media, who have gone to great lengths to highlight the taxing schedule the Sowetan giants will have to navigate in the coming months due to their domestic and continental engagements, which could see them playing 18 fixtures in two months.

A ninth Premiership win on the trot to move 11 points clear of their nearest rivals at the top of the log on Wednesday night may justify their assertion.

However it is notable that Chiefs have by and large scraped to those victories as opposed to playing exquisite football.

And after another workmanlike performance as his side defeated Supersport United 1-0 on Wednesday coach Stuart Baxter indicated he may call on some of his fringe players to do duty at FNB Stadium.

“There are some tired legs out there. This is the time where the squad players have to stand up and make a little noise,” kickoff.com quotes Baxter saying.

Tired legs are something that BA do not have, however fitness is, given that they have played only two matches this year.

The Lively Lions’ preparations were not the best, after administrative wrangles with government officials forced the team to train on a substandard school pitch for the most part this past week, which led to some of their regulars picking up injuries.

However they will need more than physical fitness, to overcome the might of Chiefs, as head coach Brian Isaacs alluded to.

“It is very important that we are mentally well prepared. We must prepare for all facets of the game.”

Chiefs have many advantages over BA, ranging from popularity, financial clout and depth in quality players – which all stems from the fact that they are a professional football club.

In contrast, and despite winning the Namibia Premier League for the past three years, BA are an amateur club filled with part-time players punching well above their weight in Caf’s premier club competition.

And with new acquisitions in goalkeeper Ephraim Tjihonge and veteran playmaker Quinton Jacobs not registered for the competition, they will have to make do with the squad at their disposal.

Nonetheless, team captain Da Costa Angula said the squad was relaxed and confident in their ability to match their more illustrious rivals.

“We are all very excited and looking forward to the match. It will be a great experience to play Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium and we are determined to make use of this opportunity. For our players it will also be an opportunity to showcase their talents to a wider public, so we want to grab this opportunity,” Angula said.

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