This weekend Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs will meet for the third time this season, when the reigning PSL champions host Amakhosi at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The Brazilians have already gained the upper hand in their previous encounters, having defeated Chiefs twice in the current campaign, and they currently lead the league by a commanding 15-point margin.
While Sundowns are sitting pretty at the top of the league standings with 51 points, Amakhosi are further down the table in eighth place with 25 points. Nabi’s chargers have seen an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks, beating Stellenbosch as well as Chippa United in the Nedbank Cup, although they most recently lost 4-1 to SuperSport United last time out.
As the anticipation builds, SBN breaks down the top five things to watch for in this exciting clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Goals Galore
Both camps have earned a reputation for playing entertaining, attractive football, and recent history suggests we can expect more of the same. In the last 10 meetings between the two sides, nine have seen at least two goals, with seven goals scored in two matches already this season. Sundowns won 2-1 in September, followed by a dominant 4-0 victory in November.
Kaizer Chiefs’ defense has been a major concern, as they have conceded more goals than they have scored this season, giving Sundowns the perfect opportunity to extend their recent dominance. However, Amakhosi have shown that they can be dangerous in attack when given space, which makes this encounter ripe for goals at both ends.
Goal keeper woes
One of the key factors that could shape the outcome of this match is Nabi’s goal keeper selection. With 23 goals conceded, their defensive record is among the worst in the league, and they have struggled to keep clean sheets, managing just three in their 18 league games. This creates an uphill battle for Amakhosi as they face a Sundowns side in blistering form, having scored a remarkable 22 goals in February alone.
With all three first choice goal keepers starting three or more league outings, Chiefs’ defensive frailty has been exposed throughout the season. With Sundowns’ potent attacking line-up and quality in midfield, Rayners & Co will look to capitalize on these weaknesses. If Chiefs fail to tighten up defensively, I feel that could open the door for another heavy defeat, similar to their 4-1 thrashing by SuperSport United.
Cardoso vs Nabi
Saturday’s match will also mark the first-ever tactical showdown between Mamelodi Sundowns’ Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso, and Kaizer Chiefs’ Tunisian tactician, Nasreddine Nabi. Both managers have extensive experience in African football—Cardoso previously coached Tunisian giants Esperance, while Nabi had a spell at Moroccan side FAR Rabat. Now, they face each other in the PSL, where Cardoso’s Sundowns have started to show more attacking flair after initially adopting a pragmatic approach under his stewardship.
Nabi, known for his preference for an open, attacking style, will aim to take the game to Sundowns, but Cardoso’s men, with their balance of attack and defense, will be difficult to break down. It will be fascinating to see which coach’s tactics prevail and whether their teams can execute the game plan to perfection in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
With everything from goals to tactical battles on the line, Saturday’s match at Lucas Moripe Stadium is set to be a captivating spectacle. Sundowns will be eager to extend their dominance, while Chiefs will be looking to turn their fortunes around and prove they can compete with the league’s best. Expect a thrilling clash filled with excitement, drama, and plenty of goals!