Cedric Kaze backs Mamelodi Sundowns clash to spark Kaizer Chiefs response after Siwelele defeat

Cedric Kaze is drawing positives from the fact that they will face Mamelodi Sundowns in a blockbuster clash in their next fixture, emphasising that it could provide the turnaround they need after their recent setback.

Third-placed Chiefs lost 2-0 to Siwelele at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night, missing the chance to go eight points clear of fourth-placed AmaZulu ahead of the final four games of the Betway Premiership season.

Amakhosi deserved to lose to Siwelele. They were nowhere to be seen from start to finish, with co-coach Kaze lamenting that they had not fully refocused after their emphatic display against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates a few days earlier.

Given that they cannot afford to drop their heads now and risk losing their grip on third spot – which guarantees continental football next season – Chiefs need to regroup in the coming days, return to the drawing board and fix what went wrong against Siwelele.

Kaze is encouraged that they will face title-chasing Sundowns next at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night (7.30pm kick-off), believing the occasion will motivate his players to step up.

“We still have four games to play, and we want to finish as high as we can,” Kaze said. “The good thing is that our next game is a big one, and we are going to do everything to react and show our character.

“So, it’s a good thing that it’s a big game that’s coming so that we can put ourselves in the right mindset going into that match.”

Amid the disappointment following the defeat, Kaze has called for accountability from everyone in the closing stages of the season.

“So, it’s a disappointment for everyone that we lost,” Kaze said. “Hopefully everyone will use the next game to rise up and show that this club deserves to be at the top – where it belongs.”