A chance for Amakhosi to end the season with victory in a cup is there for the taking as they prepare for a Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash
Kaizer Chiefs host National First Division side Richards Bay at FNB Stadium on Sunday as they begin their quest for a first Nedbank Cup title since 2013.
After beating SuperSport United 2-1 in the final of the 2013 competition with Bernard Parker grabbing the all-important goal, the Nedbank Cup has since eluded Amakhosi.
But they have a chance to finally claim it again, beginning with a date against the second-division KwaZulu-Natal outfit.
The Soweto giants are the most successful side in the Nedbank Cup with 13 titles and would be looking to cement their supremacy in this knockout tournament.
For a third successive season, Chiefs will be starting their Nedbank Cup campaign against a lower division side and they have won on all occasions.
| Game | Kaizer Chiefs vs Richards Bay |
| Date | Sunday, February 7 |
| Time | 17:00 SA Time |
TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch
| Online Streaming | TV Channel |
|---|---|
| DStv.com/DStv Now App | SuperSport TV's PSL channel 202 |
Squads & Team News
Hunt will lead his troops into battle without defender Siyabonga Ngezana who is suspended.
Ngezana picked up his fourth yellow card of the season in the 2-1 Soweto derby defeat by Orlando Pirates the previous weekend, which carries an automatic one-game ban.
Hunt has also expressed doubts over the availability of another defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who has missed their last three games due to injury.
If Mphahlele fails a late fitness test, Chiefs would still have enough cover at the back in Anthony Akumu and Erick Mathoho, while Daniel Cardoso can also take up the centre-back role.
Richards Bay have not made the situation in their camp known.
But they will be banking on the experience of veteran midfielder Siyabonga Vilane who has played Premier Soccer League before with Baroka FC, Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
South Africa Under-23 goalkeeper Andile Mbanjwa is also in their squad.
Match Preview
After the Soweto derby defeat, Chiefs would be keen to avoid a second straight loss.
Also, the desire to end an eight-year wait for the Nedbank Cup, as well as easing up an already difficult season will push on Amakhosi on Sunday.
They would want to reclaim the form they showed during their five-match unbeaten run they were enjoying prior to the Soweto derby.
But a Richards Bay outfit that are in contending for PSL promotion stand in their way.
The KwaZulu-Natal side are second on the NFD standings with the same number of points as table-toppers Sekhukhune United.
An inferior goal-difference has, however, undone Richards Bay but having not tasted defeat in their last eight league games, they could prove to be a danger to Chiefs.