Khune: Players wondered if we deserved Chiefs jersey

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune says the Amakhosi players have returned this season with a 'fresh approach' in order to end two years without silverware.

Amakhosi begin their 2017/ 18 campaign when they take on SuperSport United in an MTN8 quarter-final clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

Accustomed to winning trophies on a regular basis, the last two seasons have not gone the way the club would have hoped for, but Khune says it's up to the players to rectify the situation.

"At the end of last season we went away wondering whether we deserved to play for this club," Khune conceded. "But we returned with a fresh approach and much more energised. We are playing against a ruthless team and, to be honest, we have to show more hunger."

The Bafana Bafana shot-stopper gave his backing to head coach Steve Komphela, and says it is the players' responsibility to turn the team's fortunes around.

"It is not just the coach, who is under pressure. He is a good planner as well as tactician and the players have to execute the plan. 

"We have let him down a couple of times. The past two seasons have been a bitter pill to swallow. It is a shame to us as players to go two years without a trophy. We have to take ourselves out of this, we have put ourselves under immense pressure," he said.

Khune concedes however that Matsatsantsa could be a tough nut to crack.

"SuperSport are hungry for success as much as we are. We have to be on top of our game. We have to be hungrier on the day. Moses Mabhida will be packed with our fans and we can't afford to let them down.

"They are a very difficult team to beat and we have to be clinical in front of goal and take our chances," he explained.

Kick off is at 20:15.