MTN8 loss behind us - Gaxa
Kaizer Chiefs defender Siboniso Gaxa wants his teammates to forget the past and look forward following the 2015 Telkom Knockout draw.
Amakhosi were drawn to play Platinum Stars away from home in the opening round of the competition, the pick of the last 16 ties.
The competition is scheduled to kick-off on September 30, with the opening round of matches also set for the weekend of October 3 and 4.
“We want to do well this season,” Gaxa said. “We want to be remembered as one of the great Kaizer Chiefs teams.”
The Soweto giants are still reeling from Saturday’s 1-0 MTN8 final defeat to Ajax Cape Town in Port Elizabeth, a result that saw them surrender the title they won 12 months ago.
“We played against a side that wanted it more than us on Saturday,” Gaxa added. “We need to forget about Saturday and move on. Obviously the loss is still on our minds.”
Meanwhile, defending champions SuperSport United will launch their campaign with a short trip to Polokwane City.
Bafana Bafana midfielder Dean Furman is expecting a tough battle in the Limpopo.
“There are no easy games in the PSL and Polokwane City will be tough,” he said. “We have a good squad. We will have a good season if we apply ourselves accordingly.” – African News Agency (ANA)
Matsatsantsa recently lost 4-1 to Chiefs in the Absa Premiership having a lead 1-0 at the break and Furman added: “We had a fantastic 1st half against Chiefs. We need to take the positives from that match. We have been working hard. We need to bounce back.”
Chiefs’ Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates will begin their Telkom Knockout assault with a home tie against University of Pretoria.
The Buccaneers have been in poor form recently, losing two out of their last three games and failing to win a single game in that time.
Defender Patrick Phungwayo believes it is time they improve on their domestic performances after doing well in Africa this year. They are scheduled to play in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals this weekend.
“I don’t think as a team we are playing badly,” he said. “The media say we only focus on CAF matches, it’s time we redeem ourselves in SA.”
“The Tuks game will be interesting.”
In other opening round fixtures, Mamelodi Sundowns host Chippa United, Maritzburg United play Jomo Cosmos, Bloemfontein Celtic lock horns with
Mpumalanga Black Aces, Free State Stars have home advantage against Bidvest Wits and Lamontville Golden Arrows face Ajax.
ANA