Khumalo wants response against Arrows in DDC festival at Seshego

Kazier Chiefs coach Vela Khumalo says the defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend was a wake-up call.

His side has to bounce back against Golden Arrows in the weekend festival scheduled at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.

A much-changed Chiefs side saw their run of 11 matches unbeaten come to an end this past weekend as they were punished 2-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns.

They now face Arrows in their next league match as they aim to keep the gap between them and Sundowns who are currently at the top intact.

Chiefs are heading to this match sitting fourth in the DDC log with 36 points, two adrift of Sundowns and Stellenbosch who are first and second respectively with the same number of points.

SuperSport United are third with 37 points, and Amakhosi needs a victory at all costs this weekend to keep title aspirations alive.

"As a team, and our fans are disappointed by those results. But importantly is the performance, maybe one would look at the performance, it keeps on improving every week," said Khumalo.

"Maybe not playing against Chippa broke the rhythm but that is no excuse. But we did not convert our chances. We need to be clinical."

Before the Sundowns game, Chiefs saw their match against Chippa United being postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Khumalo added: "We will have to show a different side in our next match. Everyone (regular players who were absent against Sundowns due to suspensions) will be back and available. A good headache for us again to go back and work on the team that will play for Arrows.

"Without putting pressure on us, but we want to win (the league) it and start again next season," stated the coach while also confirming that they are not yet where they want to be in terms of performance.

"I think it is a matter of time we get to where we want to be performance wise."

In other matches that will be part of the festival this coming weekend, AmaZulu will play against Sekhukhune United on Saturday morning. Followed by Magesi and Orlando Pirates midday.

On Sunday Polokwane City will entertain Stellenbosch FC at 10am, while Chiefs and Arrows face off in the last match of the weekend at noon.