Will Aces topple Chiefs?

19 December 2014 - 02:03 By Marc Strydom and Mazola Molefe
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Clive Barker of Black Aces during the Absa Premiership match between MP Black Aces and Bidvest Wits at Mbombela Stadium on April 05, 2014 in Nelspruit, South Africa.
Clive Barker of Black Aces during the Absa Premiership match between MP Black Aces and Bidvest Wits at Mbombela Stadium on April 05, 2014 in Nelspruit, South Africa.

Eighth-placed Mpumalanga Black Aces' unpredictability might just be the banana skin to end Kaizer Chiefs' remarkable Absa Premiership run at Soccer City tomorrow.

Chiefs vs Black Aces

Chiefs will break Orlando Pirates' record set in 2004-2005 of 17 matches unbeaten if they win or draw against Aces, whose coach Clive Barker declared earlier this month his side play better football than Amakhosi.

Certainly, on their day, Barker's stylish assortment of ball players and gifted attackers can pick apart any team. They will find out if the spectacularly consistent Chiefs can be one of them tomorrow in the final round of matches before the Christmas and Africa Cup of Nations break.

Pirates vs Celtic

Stand-in coach Eric Tinkler will take charge of his fifth game since Vladimir Vermezovic's departure when Pirates host 10th-placed Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium tomorrow.

The former Bafana midfielder is wary of a Celtic side that got back to their winning ways on Wednesday in Clinton Larsen's first match in charge.

"We got a draw against Celtic away from home," Tinkler said. "The motivation of their players will be different because they have a new coach. It will be like playing a cup final.

"We are far behind on points and it's vital we collect as many points as possible to ensure we finish as high as possible."

Sundowns vs Ajax

Ajax coach Roger de Sa says he is desperate to end the club's winless run, but admits it will be tough doing so against defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Atteridgeville tomorrow night. The Urban Warriors haven't tasted victory since November 26 and travel to Tshwane eager to end the year on a high.

"We beat them [1-0] in the first round, and maybe we can do it again because we know it can be done," the coach said. "We absolutely want to get our first win in December and bring back some confidence."

PSL Fixtures

Tomorrow

Soccer City: Chiefs vs Black Aces (3.30pm)

Goble Park: FS Stars vs Plat Stars (3.30pm)

Lucas Moripe: Sundowns vs Ajax (6pm)

Moses Mabhida: AmaZulu vs Swallows (6pm)

Orlando: Pirates vs Celtic (8.15pm)

Peter Mokaba: Polokwane vs Maritzburg (8.15pm)

Sunday

Tuks: AmaTuks vs Wits (3.30pm)

Nelson Mandela Bay: Chippa vs Supersport (3.30pm)

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