"We don't need to put ourselves under pressure" - Sifiso Hlanti


By Neo Poho

Kaizer Chiefs defender Sifiso Hlanti believes the only way Kaizer Chiefs can end the 8 years trophy drought the team has been experiencing is through having a positive mindset as the players and not put themselves under pressure.

Chiefs lock horns with Orlando Pirates on Saturday the 6th of May at the FNB Stadium in the Nedbank Cup semi-final clash hoping to progress through to the final and potentially also go all the way to clinch the title.

Speaking at the Nedbank Cup press conference on Wednesday morning, Hlanti was adamant that a positive approach to the encounter will see Amakhosi get the better of their arch-rivals on Saturday.

"Heading into the Soweto derby with the Nedbank Cup triumph at the back of our minds means we firstly have to believe in ourselves as the players of Kaizer Chiefs and have a positive mindset which will ultimately influence us to have a positive approach towards the game.

Reality is we don't have to put ourselves under pressure, yes we want to end the trophy drought and win the Nedbank Cup but that doesn't mean we have to put ourselves under pressure, we know that playing against Pirates is always a fight and it's a special occasion not only for the players but everyone who supports and loves both teams, so it's really going to be an exciting game as both teams want to go to the final," Hlanti said.

With the teams meeting each other for the fifth time in the Nedbank Cup since the inception of the PSL, Pirates have won most of the fixtures defeating Chiefs 4-1 in the 1996/97 semi-final clash, 1-0 in the 1997/98 last 16 encounter and 2-0 in the 2015/16 last 32.

Despite Pirates having the edge over Amakhosi in the Nedbank Cup ties since the PSL era, Chiefs head into the encounter at the back of back-to-back 1-0 victories in 2022/23 PSL campaign however, Hlanti has reiterated that the past results don't mean anything in football.

"Our past results against Pirates don't really matter when we head to Saturday's game because it's a different ball game and there's a lot at stake because it's a cup encounter and it goes without saying that Pirates will want to redeem themselves but we are up for the challenge," Hlanti added.

Chiefs will be without regular midfielder, Keagan Dolly due to injury while it is still unclear if Khama Billiat will be part of the match-day squad or not.

Kick-off at the FNB Stadium is 15:00 o'clock.

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Football

Kaizer Chiefs

Sifiso Hlanti

Nedbank Cup

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