Kruger United coach Abram Mongoya has promised Kaizer Chiefs a difficult evening when the newly promoted side begin life in the Premiership at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The Mpumalanga club earned promotion by winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship and will mark their top-flight debut against one of South African football’s biggest names.
“What a way to start for Kruger United,” Mongoya said at the Premiership launch in Houghton. “It is a nice warm welcome. We have built a decent squad and it is going to be a very good game. I can promise we will give our best and make sure we give Chiefs a very good run for their money.”
Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz expects a stern examination from a team arriving in the division with momentum and confidence.
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“It is always difficult to play a club that comes from the second division because they are in a positive dynamic,” Da Cruz said. “But we will give our best on Saturday. I know there is a lot of pressure and I also put pressure on myself. The most important thing is how we prepare.”
The league launch also highlighted another intriguing opening-weekend storyline. Former Chiefs co-head coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef will meet as rivals when Sekhukhune United face Durban City at Makhulong Stadium.
“A couple of months ago we were working together for the same team,” Ben Youssef said. “Now we are on different missions.”
Kaze welcomed the early reunion, insisting the focus should remain on the clubs rather than the coaches. “This is a game between Sekhukhune and Durban City,” he said. “I hope the best team wins.”