Masilela backs Chiefs number 2

"Khuzwayo is a quality keeper. I hear people say that if he plays he will be the weak link," Masilela said ahead of Chiefs' MTN8 final meeting with Orlando Pirates in Durban on Saturday.

"We don't have weak links, we're team-mates. If you play for Kaizer Chiefs, you're here on merit. The fact that you are here at Kaizer Chiefs says that you are a quality player. I have confidence in all the goalkeepers,'' he said.

Khuzwayo started his first game of the season on Saturday, in place of first-choice gloveman, Itumeleng Khune, who has been sidelined for up to two months with injury.

The young goalkeeper had a less than impressive outing against the University of Pretoria, giving away a penalty which allowed AmaTuks into the game, which Chiefs went on to win 2-1.

Khuzwayo will be hoping to cement his spot in the team in Khune's absence, but will have Riyaad Pieterse breathing down his neck for a spot between the posts.

The 24-year-old made a total of two appearances all of last season in the league and domestic cup fixtures, while Pieterse made three appearances locally, one off the bench.

With the threat of Pirates' duo of Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kermit Erasmus looming, Masilela believed whoever will be in goal for Chiefs will have a tough time keeping out the in-form pair.

"They're both quality strikers, we know they're dangerous, they can score goals. If you look at their attack, they've got options and they've got lots of good players who can score goals. They're playing well and we're also playing well at the moment, we're probably the two teams that are on form in the league," Masilela said.

Majoro and Erasmus have notched-up nine goals in as many games in both the league and MTN8, and will undoubtedly provide the most headaches for the Amakhosi defence.

However, Masilela has already set his sights on lifting the top-eight trophy, which would be Chiefs' first piece of silverware since their Nedbank Cup success in 2013.

"It's a big one, it's the Derby and it's a cup final. We want to win and I'm hoping it's going to be a cracker. It's a new game and every game has its own life. In derbies, your past performances don't matter at all. I'm hoping we will see goals during the 90 minutes and hopefully we won't go to extra-time and penalties," he said.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

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