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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela has admitted his players face a 'critical period' as they prepare to take on Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits in the space of four days.
Amakhosi lock horns with Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout final in Durban on Wednesday evening before facing league leaders Wits at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
"It's a critical period for us," Komphela was quoted as saying by Sowetan Live.
Wednesday's clash presents Komphela with the chance to pick up his first piece of silverware with the Soweto giants, following a bitterly disappointing defeat to Ajax Cape Town in the MTN8 in September.
Looking back on the MTN8 defeat, Komphela admitted it was a painful experience for him and his players.
"It was painful," he said. "We have not forgotten. It was a difficult time for us.
"I remember our very next game after that final against Tuks [University of Pretoria] was hard. We don't want to experience that feeling again."
Interestingly, Chiefs have yet to taste defeat at the hands of Sundowns in a cup final, and Komphela admits it is a situation he is keen to avoid.
"I'm aware of that record and it's very important to me," he added. "I want to continue that trend.
"But obviously, we will have to play very well to achieve that. Sundowns are a very good team. They have had an extremely good season and a great run to the final.
"Their coach [Pitso Mosimane] is a scholar of the game who does lots of analysis. But like all great teams, they have plenty of weaknesses."
Kick-off is at 18:00.
