Staff Reporter
Baroka FC host Kaizer Chiefs in the DStv Premiership at the Peter Mokaba Stadium this afternoon.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
Baroka FC side lie 12th in the standings, three points behind eighth-placed TS Galaxy they look to secure a top-eight finish.
Matsimela Thoka, the Baroka head coach, says it is imperative for the team to collect points when they host Chiefs, who recently qualified for the CAF Champions League quarterfinals for the first time.
“Yeah, nine games left now in the league and one game at a time. We will be playing against Kaizer Chiefs at home,” Thoka said.
“So, we need to prepare very well in order to get the points. If you lose now you put yourself under pressure, but if you get a point or three points you put yourself in a good position on the log.”
Meanwhile, Chiefs will resume their DStv Premiership campaign after stretching their unbeaten run to seven competitive games when they drew 2-2 with Horoya AC in the CAF Champions League on 10 April.
The Soweto Giants, who also drew 2-2 with Stellenbosch FC in their last DStv Premiership match, are placed ninth on the standings – two points behind eighth-placed Galaxy.
Gavin Hunt, the Chiefs head coach, described their upcoming clash with Baroka as “one hell of a game” as he revealed how many points he needs in order to fulfil his mandate.
“We’ve got 23 points‚ we’re going to need another 17 points in the league to get ourselves into the top [half]‚ and that’s minimum,” Hunt said.
“Seventeen in 10 sounds doable‚ but it’s easier said than done. PSL football is totally different from the Champions League. Champions League is much slower‚ physical‚ much more direct‚ where the PSL is much more movement.
“So you’ve got to adapt. And we’ve got a hell of a game with Baroka.”
Victory would see Chiefs jump just one place to eighth spot while if Baroka win, the Limpopo side would displace Chiefs from position nine.