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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs wing-back Philani Zulu has billed Saturday's Telkom Knockout semi-final against Bidvest Wits as the biggest game of the season so far.
Amakhosi take on the Clever Boys at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15:30), having booked their spot in the last four with wins over AmaZulu and Chippa United.
Defending league champions Bidvest Wits may have made a sluggish start to the season, but Zulu feels that this will count for little on Saturday.
"Wits might not be doing well in the league, but this is a cup clash. That's always different, as that's a once off. It will be the game of the season so far," he was quoted saying on the club website.
"Opponents always give 100% when they play us," the 25-year-old continued, "it will be tough, as they are last year's league champions. They have a formidable side. Saturday's match will be a final before the final."
An injury to regular left-back Tsepo Masilela has given Zulu the chance to stake a claim in the Chiefs starting XI, and he's been happy to make the most of the opportunity while enjoying being reunited with coach Steve Komphela.
"It wasn't easy at first, especially because of my lack of game time last season. However, the support I got from coach Steve Komphela helped a lot as well as the immense passion I have for the game of football - it kept me going.
"At Chiefs, you are expected to win trophies, which is not really the case at Maritzburg. It was actually coach Komphela who changed me during the 2014/2015 season to the position of left-back," the Pietermaritzburg-born Zulu added.
Meanwhile Wits coach Gavin Hunt is feeling optimistic on his team's chances of claiming victory despite their season being plagued by injuries so far this season.
