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Chiefs promise physical clash

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic said his players will not pull out of tackles against Jomo Cosmos in their first Premiership match of the season at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Newly-promoted Cosmos are known for their hard, uncompromising play which they could use to destabilise Amakhosi's easy flowing game.

"We will not pull out of tackles so don't be surprised if we are the side that will commit more fouls in that game," said Vermezovic.

"Our players will not skip any challenges, but will also play hard against Cosmos.

"They are going to fight and kick but I respect that because it is their style, just as here at Chiefs we also have our own style."

Cosmos will be out to ensure they survive the season, with coach Jomo Sono likely to be satisfied with his team taking a point from the fixture.

Chiefs have not been impressive in the pre-season with their season planning interrupted by a number of injuries to key players.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and promising winger George Lebese is expected to be out for the next four to five weeks.

Chiefs' defence is also a slight concern since the departure of Valery Nahayo to Belgium, while the form of playmaker Mthokozisi Yende is in question after a poor outing in the team's MTN8 win over Bidvest Wits last weekend.

Vermezovic would, however, have been pleased with the good performance from star midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala in his outing for Bafana against Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

The Serb, in his third season in charge of the outfit, has marked the league title as the prime target for this season.

He wants his side to start the season on the right note against Ezenkosi in order to build a foundation for their ambition of topping the league come next year May.

"We need to win this game and march on towards winning the league, cups and every game on offer," said Vermezovic.

Captain Jimmy Tau, last season's Chiefs player of the season, felt the Glamour club could end their six season league title drought.

"We have to win this opening game, which will boost our aspirations of winning the league," said Tau.

"We know how Cosmos play but that does not affect us because what we find more important is our own preparations and our own ambitions.

"We are focused on what we want, which is a good season."

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