Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler believes his side is well prepared to face Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 and says Amakhosi will be tested mentally.
Amakhosi will be playing their first official match under Gavin Hunt, who took over from German tactician Ernst Middendorp last month.
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The Team of Choice eliminated Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout semi-finals last season, but Tinkler believes Chiefs' brand of football will be different this time around.
"Obviously the game against Chiefs is going to be a completely different game, new coach Gavin Hunt, the football that Gavin is going to play will be different compared to Middendorp's play," Tinkler told the media.
"I don't think we can really compare last season's Kaizer Chiefs to the new season. What we do know is obviously the squad will be probably similar to what was last season due to the fact that they are not allowed to sign players.
"The brand of football will definitely be different. One thing we know about Chiefs, last season the amount of goals they scored were coming from set-pieces.
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"I think under Gavin that's an important factor, the brand and all-style of football, he wants to play, so they're going to be more dangerous from the set-plays. It's going to be a tough game and under Covid [regulations] you don't know what to expect."
With the matches still being played behind closed doors, Tinkler feels the pressure will be more on Chiefs after missing out on the league title last season.
"Physically we are prepared, technically I think we're also prepared. I also think mentally we have to see Chiefs after losing the league right on the last day and how that has affected them physiologically. So we will know once the referee blow that whistle."
Chiefs have two players on the suspension list for this weekend, see below
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