Royal Eagles coach looking to upset ‘on-fire’ Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs have a potential banana peel first up in the Nedbank Cup as they open their campaign against first-division outfit Royal Eagles on Saturday.

The Glamour Boys’ opponents have had a tough time of it in the championship, where they are rooted at the bottom of the standings.

Tough task awaits Royal Eagles

This is after coming close to promotion in the previous season, where they took part in the pre-season playoffs.

Eagles face a side that is pretty much on up, topping the standings in the top flight. 

Coach Phuti Mohafe is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task that awaits him and his charges, but is willing to give it a solid go.

“We are going to play a big team Kaizer Chiefs, the team that is on fire, the team that is at the summit on the top of the log in the top league,” he says.

“We are at the foot of the log in our league. The question is, how are we going to do it? How can you beat a team that is on fire when you are struggling in your league?

“But in the cup, everyone goes there so showcase their talent. Players want to be signed by bigger teams.”

Phuti Mohafe

Mohafe not ruling out major upset

What remains to be seen is whether Eagles will be facing the strongest Chiefs team possible or an XI predominantly made up of fringe players.

Mohafe is not ruling out an upset, regardless who runs out in the famous gold and black of Amakhosi.

“The question is, will they be playing regulars or the fringe players? So it’s a 50/50 situation. If they play fringe players the possibility of beating them is there,” he added.

“If they play regulars then you say we’ve been looking at them, so what can I do to plan for them?

“Yes, the possibility is there to beat them.”

Phuti Mohafe

Kaizer Chiefs are no stranger to conceding famous upsets against lower league sides in the Nedbank Cup, having lost the most recent final to TS Galaxy, who were the first team to get knocked out of the current edition of the competition.

Another outfit that made a name for themselves against the Soweto Giants is Baroka, who stunned them in the 2011 semifinal at Peter Mokaba Stadium before their ascension to the big time.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 18:00 (SAST).