After Confed exit and a run of poor results, Amakhosi cannot afford to slip up against Galaxy and Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs are facing a crucial week that may have far-reaching consequences for their season, which started with promise but has taken a nasty turn.

Amakhosi began the campaign with hope under new coach Fernando Da Cruz but they have gone off the boil in recent weeks with one win from their last eight matches in all competitions.

They were eliminated in the early stages of the MTN8 and on Friday exited the Caf Confederation Cup in the second preliminary round, losing 3-2 on penalties to Zambia’s Red Devils after their 1-0 second leg win at Peter Mokaba Stadium made for a 1-1 aggregate scoreline.

Now Amakhosi face a week in which they play a last-16 fixture in the Carling Knockout Cup followed by the Soweto derby. They host TS Galaxy in the cup on Tuesday (7.30pm) and play their “away” Premiership derby against Orlando Pirates on Saturday (3.30pm). Chiefs cannot afford to falter in these two matches, both at FNB Stadium.

Coach Da Cruz and his men, despite sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr’s public backing of the technical staff, are under pressure from a recent run that does not make for good reading. They have not won in their last five outings after draws with Polokwane City, Golden Arrows, Stellenbosch in the league and the away and home stalemates against Red Arrows that led to their demise in the Confed in the round before the group stage.

Chiefs will fancy their chances against coach Bernard Parker’s struggling Galaxy, whose three successive losses in the league to Pirates, Chippa United and newcomers Kruger United have left the Rockets wallowing in 13th place and with a mountain to climb to revive their campaign.

Defeat to Galaxy will mean they are out of two domestic cup competitions already and dropping points against Pirates will see them lose ground to third-placed AmaZulu on the log.

Also in Tuesday’s Carling action, Pirates will be out to continue their impressive recent run of one loss in eight matches in all competitions if they progress to the next round by beating Milford FC at Orlando Stadium.

Pirates will be buoyed by having qualified for the group stages of the Champions League with their 5-0 aggregate win against Namibia’s African Stars, leaving Bucs as South Africa’s sole representatives in the tournament.

Caf is a big trophy but we still have a lot to play for and we have to look forward to our match against Marumo Gallants.

—  Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso

In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has asked his players to bounce back strongly after Champions League elimination at the hands of Angola’s Wiliete when they host Marumo Gallants in their Carling last-16 clash at Loftus (7.30pm).

The Brazilians suffered the embarrassment of being knocked out of the Champions League in the preliminary stage as defending champions and the Carling is important for them in terms of bouncing back quickly and softening the blow.

“After the game against Wiliete SC, we had to reflect but it is important to take a step forward and continue. It is difficult to get over what happened but at the end of the day you have to take the step forward,” Cardoso said.

“Caf is a big trophy but we still have a lot to play for and we have to look forward to our match against Marumo Gallants.

“We have to overcome it and get back to winning ways and continue from there. It will make things easier than what they are now.”