Chiefs skipper to miss Vasco

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau is suspended and will not be part of the team which faces Vasco da Gama in a PSL encounter at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night. Kick off is at 7.30 pm.

Other than Tau, the Soweto giants have the same team available as those who took part in the 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, although Siphiwe Tshabalala is a concern after he limped off with a hamstring injury in the derby.

A late equaliser from Thulasizwe Mbuyane meant it was the Buccaneers who did all the celebrating after the game as they retained top spot on the Absa Premiership table.

Tau, however, said the dropping of two points will not affect the Chiefs players' mindsets as they prepare to face Vasco.

"Yes, we wanted to win before the game started and we didn't get maximum points which was disappointing, but we can't let ourselves be driven by emotions.

"This is nothing new in football (conceding a late goal), it happens to the best teams in the world.

"We have to accept the result for what it was and move on. Being driven by emotion is like playing with the wind - allowing other factors to intervene," said Tau.

AmaKhosi will be out to avenge a 3-2 first round loss to Vasco, although right now, revenge is less important than the league points up for grabs - a win for Chiefs will see them going top of the log for at least 24-hours (on Wednesday, Pirates host Maritzburg, while Ajax are away to Wits).

The former Pirates right back said that with so much at stake at this stage of the season, it's a real scrap for points.

"This is going to be a tough game. Vasco are a good side and we'll respect them. It's an interesting game for everyone, for all the other clubs as well, because at this stage, all teams are fighting for the title, or against relegation, or for a top eight place."

The Cape side go into this game on the back of a 3-3 draw away to AmaZulu, a decent enough result on the road that left the Vasco players with mixed feelings.

"It was a good result, away from home, but also disappointing in that we allowed them to come back from 2-1 and then 3-2 down to get the draw," said attacker Jonathan Armogam, who scored against Usuthu and also notched a wonderful individual effort in the first round clash against Chiefs.

"It was good to score again. I'm feeling like I'm starting to get back my form of 2010, playing with more hunger and drive.

"It's the same with the team - we played with energy, and an appetite for the game, which is a good sign - it's what made us do well before the Christmas break.

"I haven't seen the Soweto derby yet, so I'm not 100% sure what to expect from Chiefs, but of course we know what they are capable of and the fact that they are challenging for the title means we can expect a very tough match. They'll be wanting to bounce back from the disappointment of the draw on Saturday."

The Parow-based team will have the same group of players available who did duty against AmaZulu.

Apart from Armogam, the likes of Sibusiso Zuma, Keenin Lesch and Zeka Karkee could pose a danger to the AmaKhosi rearguard.