Despite their league defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United defender Lyle Lakay has warned against underestimating Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the two teams' meeting in the Carling Knockout.
SuperSport have had a disastrous start to the season with a single victory, a draw and two losses from their first four matches in the Betway Premiership.
They were also knocked out of the MTN8 in the quarterfinals by Orlando Pirates.
However, the Tshwane outfit now get another chance at silverware in the form of the Carling Knockout.
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Lying in wait in the Last 16 is Kaizer Chiefs – a side that has lost just one of their opening three league fixtures of the campaign.
The Soweto giants started the season on a positive note with two wins from two games, before stumbling to a 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns – potentially breaking their momentum.
The two teams will have some information about each other, having played in a behind-closed-doors friendly match already prior to the commencement of the season, an encounter Amakhosi won 2-0.
Speaking to journalists at the launch of the Carling Knockout, Lakay provided his assessment of their rivals so far.
"It's a good draw. it's always exciting to play Kaizer Chiefs. We look forward to a good game. They are a rejuvenated team, everyone can see it, with the new coach, and the new signings," Lakay said.
"Also, they got [Gaston] Sirino. Personally, I know Sirino is a threat. We know what he can do. It's evident. So, it's going to be a good game.
"Also, our coach, coach Gavin [Hunt], has been at Chiefs, so it's going to be an interesting one. He knows the team and we have played them in a friendly already. So, having said that, we know what to expect from them.
"We can say they lost momentum [after losing to Sundowns], but on the other side, we have not started well either. We are hoping to turn it around now. We [have] got them two games in two now, in the league and in the cup.
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"If you look at Chiefs now, compared to last season, there is a big difference. Like I said, they are a rejuvenated team.
"I feel also, if you look at the previous games that they played with Sundowns, I think they did well in this game compared to the other games," concluded the left-footed player.