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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau is aware his team-mates face a stern assessment of their title credentials against Vasco da Gama on Tuesday night.
Fresh off a 1-1 Soweto derby draw with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, Amakhosi will be determined to depart Athlone Stadium with maximum points.
But the home side will be up for the challenge after securing a 3-3 away draw with AmaZulu over the weekend.
Tau, who is suspended for the encounter, insists Chiefs will respect Vasco and that the derby is now forgotten.
"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," said the skipper of the clash with Bucs, in which they conceded a goal in added time.
"This is nothing new in football, it happens to the best teams in the world."
On Tuesday's test he added: "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."
Chiefs are third in the standings, two points behind Pirates and Ajax Cape Town. Vasco, meanwhile, are 12th and are not far off from falling into the relegation battle or securing a spot in the top half of the table.
Other than Tau's suspension, the only other concern for Amakhosi is Siphiwe Tshabalala, who picked up a hamstring injury in the derby.
The Cape side have no reported absentees, but striker Jonathan Armogam is expecting a backlash from the giants.
"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," he said.
"They'll be wanting to bounce back from the disappointment of the draw on Saturday."
Fresh off a 1-1 Soweto derby draw with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, Amakhosi will be determined to depart Athlone Stadium with maximum points.
But the home side will be up for the challenge after securing a 3-3 away draw with AmaZulu over the weekend.
Tau, who is suspended for the encounter, insists Chiefs will respect Vasco and that the derby is now forgotten.
"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," said the skipper of the clash with Bucs, in which they conceded a goal in added time.
"This is nothing new in football, it happens to the best teams in the world."
On Tuesday's test he added: "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."
Chiefs are third in the standings, two points behind Pirates and Ajax Cape Town. Vasco, meanwhile, are 12th and are not far off from falling into the relegation battle or securing a spot in the top half of the table.
Other than Tau's suspension, the only other concern for Amakhosi is Siphiwe Tshabalala, who picked up a hamstring injury in the derby.
The Cape side have no reported absentees, but striker Jonathan Armogam is expecting a backlash from the giants.
"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," he said.
"They'll be wanting to bounce back from the disappointment of the draw on Saturday."
