Rama wants fast start for Chiefs title challenge

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs right-back Ramahlwe Mphahlele says it will be crucial for the Glamour Boys to make a fast start to the second half of the season if they are to challenge for the title.

Amakhosi ended the Premiership's first round on a positive note with two emphatic consecutive victories over Polokwane City and Golden Arrows to get back into contention for the league championship.

The fourth-placed Naturena-based side will resume their league campaign by hosting Free State Stars at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on February 8.

"Having finished the first round on a high note, that means we have to go all out for invaluable points in our first three games of the second round," Mphahlele told Vodacom Soccer.

"Yes, our first three games against Free State, Maritzburg and Highlands (Park) won't be the easy games at all. Free State and Highlands are fighting to move away from the relegation zone, while, on the other hand, Maritzburg are fighting to maintain their top-eight berth.

"It will be crucial for us to fight with our utmost to keep up with the league title contenders, because mathematically every team in the top-eight zone still has a chance to challenge for league championship."

Chiefs will want to put an end to their failure to convert draws into victories and hit the ground running when the league resumes to put pressure on the top three sides on the table.