The football gods will witness one of the most exhilarating league-match battles in the Premier Soccer League calendar this afternoon at the colossal 94-seater FNB Stadium in Johannesburg when Kaizer Chiefs welcome Mamelodi Sundowns. Of course, there are also a string of league games in queue this weekend besides the clash of the titans on which the footballing spotlight falls on.
Saturday | September 28, 2024
The seemingly revived Kaizer Chiefs Football Club (FC) brace themselves to meet Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the Betway Premiership League showdown at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg today at 15h00.
These two South African sporting behemoths are going into their third tie of the 2024/2025 league campaign.
Chiefs are rather the more interesting side regarding their lacklustre performances nearly a decade to date.
Under the stewardship of the Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi, Amakhosi (Chiefs) have won their two opening fixtures, thus, bagging six points.
Although it is premature to make a solid case at this early stage, at face value, it appears the league challenge is truly underway.
The Brazilians (Sundowns) are the defending champions of the domestic elite league. Now in the hands of Manqoba Mngqithi who has assumed secondary roles in his long tenure at Sundowns, there is very little that has changed. They go about mesmerizing opponents in their typical flamboyant style as if the season never went on recess nor without changes at the technical helm.
However, there are notable absentees in their usual squad in the mold of midfield talisman Teboho Mokoena and the ever brilliant rightback Khuliso Mudau. There is no official word from their club concerning the duo. Neither has uttered any.
Gamewise, Sundowns too, have won both their two league matches with the latest being the 4-1 trashing of Sekhukhune United FC on Tuesday; and top the standings on goal advantage. Orlando Pirates FC are second with six points with breathing heavily behind Chiefs them.
This afternoon may see one of them break clear the 6-point tie and show more purpose and resolve in setting the tone for the league race.
Although Sundowns consistency in the league is well documented, the same can be said about their opponents.
However, Chiefs have a decent group of players who are full of promise given their recent two matches played so far. With the 3-1 victory over AmaZulu FC on Wednesday still fresh in their minds, athe motivation should be sky high in the camp prior the Sundowns duel.
Sirino effect
Among the players to look out for is the Gastón Sirino effect on Chiefs signed from their rivals Sundowns. He inspired the win against AmaZulu and seems to be gelling well in his new found home.
It is for this season that today they will give the defending champions a run for their money. Moreover, Chiefs are the hosts and it should stand them in good stead.
As per their glamorous tradition, they will have a buzzing legion of fans egging them on all the way. The club too, owes it to these fans to give good account of itself against the impressive Brazilians.
For the optics, the Chiefs and Sundowns encounter is one of the most enthralling games in the Premier Soccer League. There is a little doubt that the game will not be short of spectacle.
Of course, the winner merely walks away with the maximum (3) points on offer. But it is the magnitude of the clash that lifts the ante not the points at stake per se. Meanwhile a draw will see the duo get one point apiece.
Past season record
Sundowns had the better of Kaizer Chiefs in the previous league season winning both matches. In the first round Chiefs went down 2-1 and suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat in the second round.
Amakhosi may be in revenge mode today to reverse this unpalatable tide. Mamelodi Sundowns must expect a tough battle lying ahead on the horizon, one they have not experienced against their hosts for some time past.
Saturday, Sept. 28 Betway Premiership Fixtures:
Sekhukhune United FC vs Golden Arrows FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 15h00
Magezi FC vs Royal AM at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 17h30
Cape Town City FC vs SuperSport United FC at Athlone Stadium (Cape Town) – 20h00
Marumo Gallants FC VS AmaZulu FC at Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein) – 20h00
Sunday, Sept. 29 Betway Premiership League Fixtures:
Richards Bay FC vs Orlando Pirates at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium (Durban) – 15h00
Polokwane City FC vs TS Galaxy FC at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 17h30
The football gods will witness one of the most exhilarating league-match battles in the Premier Soccer League calendar this afternoon at the colossal 94-seater FNB Stadium in Johannesburg when Kaizer Chiefs welcome Mamelodi Sundowns.
Saturday | September 28, 2024
The seemingly revived Kaizer Chiefs Football Club (FC) brace to meet Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the Betway Premiership League showdo at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg today at 15h00.
These two South African sporting giants are going into their third tie of the 2024/2025 league campaign.
Chiefs are rather the more interesting side regarding their lacklustre performance nearly a decade to date.
Under the stewardship of the Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi, Amakhosi (Chiefs) have won their two opening fixtures bagging six points.
The league challenge is truly underway.
The Brazilians (Sundowns) are the defending champions of the domestic elite league. Now in the hands of Manqoba Mngqithi who has assumed secondary roles, there is very little that has changed.
Sundowns too, have won both their two league matches with the latest being the 4-1 trashing of Sekhukhune United FC on Tuesday; and top the standings on goal advantage.
This afternoon may see one of them break clear the 6-point tie and show more purpose and resolve in setting the tone for the league race.
Although Sundowns consistency in the league is well documented, the same can be said about their opponents.
However, Chiefs have a decent group of players who are full of promise given their recent two matches played so far. With the 3-1 victory over AmaZulu FC on Wednesday still fresh in their minds, athe motivation should be sky high in the camp prior the Sundowns duel.
Sirino effect
Among the players to look out for is the Gastón Sirino effect on Chiefs signed from their rivals Sundowns. He inspired the win against AmaZulu and seems to be gelling well in his new found home.
It is for this season that today they will give the defending champions a run for their money. Moreover, Chiefs are the hosts. They will have a buzzing legion of fans egging them on all the way.
For the optics, the Chiefs and Sundowns encounter is one of the most enthralling games in the Premier Soccer League.
Of course the winner merely walks away with the maximum (3) points on offer. Meanwhile a draw will see the duo get one point apiece.
Past season record
Sundowns had the better of Chiefs in the previous league season winning both matches. In the first round Chiefs went down 2-1 and suffered a heaving 5-1 defeat in the second round.
Saturday, Sept. 28 Betway Premiership Fixtures:
Sekhukhune United FC vs Golden Arrows FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 15h00
Magezi FC vs Royal AM at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 17h30
Cape Town City FC vs SuperSport United FC at Athlone Stadium (Cape Town) – 20h00
Marumo Gallants FC VS AmaZulu FC at Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein) – 20h00
Sunday, Sept. 29 Betway Premiership League Fixtures:
Richards Bay FC vs Orlando Pirates at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium (Durban) – 15h00
Chippa United FC vs TS Galaxy FC at Mandela Bay Stadium (Gweberha) – 17h30
Polokwane City FC vs Stellenbosch FC at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 17h30