Sunday | September 12, 2021
The DStv Premiership features two league games on Sunday, Sept. 12. In an earlier fixture, Royal AM will welcome Chippa United at Chatsworth Stadium in Chatsworth. Then later, Kaizer Chiefs will visit Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
There are few Premiership Soccer League (PSL) matches that summon and command breathtaking support from all corners of the footballing loving masses than the encounter between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa (SA).
The most flamboyant football titans will do battle in a league game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria this afternoon at 17:00.
The 2010 World Cup hosting stadium, situated in Hatfield, the Eastern wing of the capital city, is the alternative home ground for the 2020/21 reigning Premier League champions – Sundowns.
In their title defense, The Brazilians are hosting one of the most accomplished and well-known Soweto giants in football annals, Kaizer Chiefs. In stark contrast to Sundowns, the latter [Amakhosi], are in a reconstruction mode of their own underperforming senior side in recent years. This rebuilding phase is a concession also backed by the club’s statement on its website.
As league games go, there are three points at stake to be notched up. Undoubtedly, both the PSL behemoths will be salivating at the possibilities of collecting maximum points to improve their log standings. They are currently equal on four league points after playing two matches of the 2021/22 season.
While a deadlock will automate the share of the spoils – that is, a point apiece – a win will propel either team to five points, equal with Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates at top of the league.
Although Chiefs said they will approach the game with all humility…, Sundowns center back Musa Lebosa said, “we have our eyes on the prize and we’re looking forward to the game”. Yet, both clubs agree that the game will be a tough encounter. Given what Sundowns and Chiefs games produce, today’s face-off is indeed too close to call.
Retro Score
Provided that all the PSL clubs are still fresh owing to the off-season break, no team has established enough momentum to hint at a possible victory. Perhaps a review in the past toe-to-toe meets might indicate a slant between the rival duo.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Sundowns blasted Chiefs 3-0. But the former suffered a 2-1 loss in their second (round two) meeting. Last month, this draw elicited an exhilarating 2-2 draw in a cup competition that Sundowns ultimately won on penalties.
What is clear from these recent results is that their matches are, if any air of ambivalence, not short of goals. The football loving hordes of fans can expect spectacular exchanges between The Brazilians and Amakhosi even in the face of an empty stadium due to Covid-19 official control measures from the SA government.
Saturday Sept. 11 DStv League Results:
Baroka FC 0-1 Maritzburg United
Sekhukhune United 1-1 Stellenbosch
TS Galaxy 2-2 Golden Arrows
Orlando Pirates 1-0 Swallows FC