Dube knows Chiefs can do of the same

KAIZER Chiefs defender Austin

Dube is confident Amakhosi can still improve on their 4-0 victory over Chippa United in the league when they visit high-flying SuperSport United at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

After a four-game winless streak in the Premiership, Chiefs finally turned the tide last weekend. They put Chippa to the sword with four unanswered goals, thanks to an impressive display from Keagan

Dolly and Khama Billiat in either half.

That victory was so welcomed that it inked the perfect birthday present to club supremo Kaizer Motaung, who turned 77 on the day.

But some of the club’s discerning fans suggested that it was naive to read too much into the results, saying it’s still early days.

Coach Stuart Baxter, who was earmarked to return the club to their glory days following their six-year trophy drought, will be eager to prove that they’ve turned the tide against SuperSport.

That’s why they cannot leave any stone unturned.

“Taking (positives) from the previous game against Chippa, we did very well, but I think we can still improve and do much better as a team. So, going to the weekend’s game, we are going for a win and better performance,” Dube explained.

SuperSport are enjoying a purple patch.

They are second on the Premiership standings, four points behind leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. They are unbeaten in the league after four wins and three draws – a feat they mostly achieved without their key frontman Bradley Grobler.

Grobler claimed the league’s Golden Boot award last season but

his start to this campaign has been marred by injuries, and Thamsanqa Gabuza has had to lead the line.

The latter has done well, as he’s scored three times in the last five matches.

It’s not only Gabuza that Dube and Co have to be wary of in their defence, as Zambian Gamphani Lungu has also been in red-hot form up front.

Dube, though, is thrilled that he’s been getting game-time, but knows that he’s still far from his best.

“It’s been a great experience working alongside ‘Tower’ (Eric Mathoho). The experience that he has is helping me a lot. I am learning a lot from all the centre-backs in the team,” said Dube, who joined Chiefs from Richards Bay FC in August.

“I am not yet at the level that I’d like to get to. I think that I still need more games to get to where I want to be – or where I used to be before, actually.

“Up to now, I think I’ve done well, but I still think I need to improve as a player obviously.”

An impressive outing in defence for Dube on Sunday could see him return to Bafana Bafana for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana next month. Dube was left out of the recent two qualifiers against Ethiopia.

“That was motivation for me to work even harder. I have to work to be in the national team and be able to play,” said Dube.