Disappointed Kaizer Chiefs’ Siyethemba Sithebe eyeing CAF spot

Kaizer Chiefs are still looking to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup after suffering a massive blow as far as their trophy drought is concerned, and midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe is confident they will bounce back.

Chiefs are fresh from a 2-1 defeat against old rivals, Orlando Pirates last Saturday, and they now turn their focus to the DStv Premiership as they look to participate in the CAF Confederation tournament next season.

In their next fixture, Amakhosi as Chiefs darling to refer to the club, have a chance to fight for the third-place finish as they meet SuperSport United on Saturday afternoon and their target is nothing but a CAF spot.

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CHIEFS’ SIYETHEMBA SITHEBE SETTING SIGHTS ON SUPERSPORT

Sithebe had a great game against the Buccaneers and he has urged his Chiefs teammates to put the Nedbank Cup loss behind them as he looks to play in the CAF interclub competitions.

Speaking to the club’s media team ahead of the match versus SuperSport, Sithebe said Chiefs players are still hurt after the Ke Yona Cup loss but they have to get the job done this weekend for them to play in one of the CAF tournaments next season.

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“(It was) a game we were disappointed to lose but we gave our best,” Sithebe told the Chiefs media team.

“Coming to SuperSport, I think we need to keep focus because anything can happen. It’s still possible to get third position and, as players, it is important to have that motivation and our mindset needs to be positive.”

“All I can say is we know SuperSport and how they play. We need to be prepared for the long balls they play, and I think all our preparations are going well. The coach told us, ‘We can’t lose to Supersport, no matter what and with all our preparation.’”

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Taking a glance at the DStv Premiership log standings, the Naturena-based Chiefs sit fourth with 44 points. They have two matches to ensure they qualify for the CAF Confederation showpiece.

After many years, coach Arthur Zwane and his Chiefs squad visit Royal Bafokeng Stadium to honour their match against Matsatsantsa as they are under pressure to at least be part of the lucrative CAF football next season.

Above them are SuperSport and Pirates who have 48 and 50 points respectively and there is no doubt the encounter will produce fireworks on Saturday afternoon.

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SUPERSPORT’S HUNT REVIEWS THEIR SEASON AHEAD OF CHIEFS CLASH

Formerly in charge of Chiefs, SuperSport boss Gavin Hunt insists they could have done better as a team but also credited some of his key players.

Interacting with the press during the media day earlier this week, Hunt believes SuperSport could have done even better, had they brought in all the signings they wanted.

“If we had got one or two in that we wanted to get, it would have been much better,” he said.

“Guys like Tyson (Thulani Hlatshwao), (Siphesihle) Ndlovu, Grant (Margeman) they came in and did a hell of a job for us, it took a bit of time to settle, but it’s ok. I don’t know where we will end up, but…we will take it game by game.”

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