Kaizer Chiefs are set to host Mamelodi Sundowns in a thrilling Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 18h00.
Head coach Nasreddine Nabi has highlighted Chiefs’ need to turn possession into goals, having recently dominated play but struggled to convert chances, a key focus as they face the defending league champions.
Chiefs are entering the contest after a challenging spell in the Betway Premiership, which saw them fall 1-0 to SuperSport United before clawing back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Magesi recently.
In both games, they controlled the ball but missed decisive finishing, an issue Nabi is aware they have to address. “Our issues are obvious. Every game we have the most possession; we just need to convert that into scoring goals,” Nabi said.
Chiefs’ first-round 4-0 rout of SuperSport in the cup serves as a reminder of their potential, and Nabi hopes his players will replicate that firepower.
Meanwhile, Sundowns are returning to form, having defeated Cape Town City 3-0 on Wednesday. Despite dominating the league, Sundowns have historically struggled in cup competitions and were ousted early in the 2023 Carling Knockout by TS Galaxy on penalties.
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, however, faces a new challenge with star forward Lucas Ribeiro, whose disciplinary issues have been mounting.
“It’s a big concern… some of the challenges he makes are unnecessary,” Mngqithi admitted, hoping to keep Ribeiro focused and available for critical fixtures.
Key players to watch included Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala, who inspired his team’s comeback against Magesi, scoring twice to salvage a draw.
Sundowns’ Ribeiro, instrumental in the win over Cape Town City, added a goal and assisted in his season tally, reinforcing his importance despite recent cautions.
The last five encounters between the teams are tipped heavily in Sundowns’ favour, with four wins and a single draw. Chiefs will be looking to reverse that trend and secure a statement win on Saturday.