Chiefs building on winning momentum as top three finish comes into focus

Ben Youssef was speaking after seeing his team come back from a goal down to beat the relegation-threatened Orbit College 3-1 in a Betway Premiership match played at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha yesterday. 

The win lifted Amakhosi to the third spot on the log with 39 points from 21 matches, and Ben Youssef says the winning momentum is key for them...

Orbit shocked Chiefs with an opening goal in the 21^st minute through Mbulelo Wagaba, but the Glamour Boys responded through Wandile Duba’s goal just before halftime, and in the second half, goals from Mduduzi Shabalala and Siphesihle Ndlovu sealed the victory. 

Ben Youssef reflects on these three points...

"It's always a tough game when you compete against a team fighting for their place in the league. The way we started wasn't good and it costed us in the first 30 minutes, but I think the players showed a good mindset to deliver a reaction.

"In the second half, we played faster, we played forward, and we created a lot of opportunities. I'm proud of the players for that second half performance."

READ: Mobara reflects on seven month wait and emotional road to Chippa United

Chiefs’ next game will be against TS Galaxy on Sunday at home at FNB Stadium. They will be coming up against a motivated Rockets team, fresh from reaching the Nedbank Cup final but troubled in the league, having gone seven matches without a win. 

It’s a game, Ben Youssef says they must be focused going into...

"TS Galaxy will give us a difficult game, but we will plan and the most important thing  is that we only think about our performance because if we play like we did in the second half, I think we can win our next game.

"We have to stay focused and not enjoy the three points against Orbit College too much."

Chiefs have also suffered too many injuries in the past few months. They also had a hectic period as they participated in the CAF Confederation Cup until the end of the group stages, which included a lot of travelling. 

Ben Youssef also touched on the nature of these injuries they have suffered...

"Eighty percent of our injuries were because of contact in the game. Also, competing in Africa after some time the load increases for the players.

"Unfortunately, every week we are forced to make substitutions after yellow cards or injuries, but I have to say thank you to the board for the big squad."