Owen Da Gama spots some cracks in the Kaizer Chiefs armoury

While still at pains to paint his team as babes in the wood‚ Highlands Park coach Owen Da Gama has also admitted there might be some air of vulnerability around Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the two sides’ Nedbank Cup last-16 clash at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Saturday.

Highlands‚ promoted by Da Gama back to the Premier Soccer League in 2018‚ have had another solid season under the former Bafana Bafana assistant-coach.

They are currently matching their seventh placing from their first season back‚ and lost 1-0 against SuperSport United in the MTN8 final.

On Wednesday night Park again showed they can match the Premier Soccer League’s big guns holding Bidvest Wits to 2-2 at Bidvest Stadium.

Da Gama was asked about log leaders Chiefs perhaps showing some cracks in their 2-1 home defeat against Maritzburg United on Saturday‚ in a season where Amakhosi are under pressure to reverse four campaigns without a trophy in their 50th anniversary campaign.

"Ja‚ I think there's no doubt there's a lot of pressure on Chiefs. I mean‚ they are a big team‚ but there's a lot of pressure on them‚” Highlands’ coach said.

"They are vulnerable. And I think we have got a score to settle - there's no doubt about it.

"We are going to fight for our lives. It's a game where we have to show that we can do it against a big team of Chiefs' calibre.

"So we'll definitely give it our best shot. Our focus is on Highlands Park. Where Chiefs are‚ what's happening to them‚ I think that shouldn't deter us from what we want to achieve as a team.

"Every team have their challenges‚ their pressures‚ their weaknesses and strengths. So with us‚ trying to build Highlands Park‚ it's just to get better.

"I don't think we are where we'd like to be. We are better than where we were last season‚ and we went to a final.

"So there's a bit of growth there. But we just hope we can kick on and kick on‚ and just grow as a team.

" ... Every time you play against Wits‚ every time you play Chiefs‚ you go to another level‚ because these are quality teams.

"It's sold out at Makhulong. And that's not an easy fortress for anybody. It's a pitch that suits us‚ and we'll make sure this is a hell of a game on Saturday."

Chiefs have had Highlands’ number this season.

In two league games Amakhosi beat Park 3-0 at FNB Stadium in January‚ and came from behind to win 3-2 at Makhulong in August.