Siwelele Reveal How Election Break Has Given Them A Major Boost Ahead Of Chiefs Clash

Siwelele FC caretaker coach Godfrey Mosoetsa believes the midweek election break has provided his team with an important opportunity to switch their full attention towards Sunday’s Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final against Kaizer Chiefs.

With no league fixture to prepare for during the week, Mosoetsa says the club was able to enjoy a brief “breather” before turning its attention to one of the biggest matches on the domestic football calendar.

“Wednesday we had a breather with elections, to focus on the fixture this weekend without any disruptions,” Mosoetsa said, highlighting the value of having fewer distractions during their preparations.

Siwelele will travel to the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, 8 November, to face Chiefs in a crucial last-eight encounter. The match has since been moved to an 18:00 kick-off after initially being scheduled for 15:00. The adjustment was made to accommodate Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Super Cup fixture against USM Alger.

For Mosoetsa, the timing of the break could prove significant. His team are entering the cup encounter after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Marumo Gallants in their most recent Betway Premiership match. That result came after Siwelele had enjoyed a three-match unbeaten run across competitions.

The quarter-final therefore presents an opportunity for the Free State club to quickly put that setback behind them and produce a statement performance against one of South Africa’s biggest football clubs.

Chiefs will also arrive with plenty to prove. Fernando Da Cruz’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on 31 October, ending their two-match unbeaten run. The Carling Knockout has consequently become an important opportunity for Amakhosi to keep their hopes of silverware alive.

Interestingly, Chiefs already defeated Siwelele 3-2 in the league earlier this season. However, Da Cruz has warned his players not to rely on that result because the competition, circumstances and Siwelele’s technical setup have changed.

Mosoetsa, meanwhile, understands the magnitude of the challenge facing his players. Facing Chiefs brings its own motivation, particularly with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

Siwelele booked their quarter-final place after defeating Polokwane City on penalties following a goalless encounter, while Chiefs advanced with an emphatic 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy, with Wandile Duba scoring a memorable hat-trick.

The pressure will be intense on both sides. Chiefs want to turn their cup campaign into a genuine trophy push, while Siwelele have an opportunity to eliminate one of the country's most decorated clubs and move closer to a historic semi-final appearance.

The elections may have provided a brief pause, but now the distractions are gone. All attention has shifted towards Polokwane, where Siwelele will attempt to produce a major cup upset against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday evening.

Source:

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