Kaizer Chiefs and Royal AM will both be looking to make it three wins in a row in the DStv Premiership when they meet at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 5:30 pm CAT.
Match background
Amakhosi looked like an improved side just before the recent Fifa international break - winning two matches in a row in the league against AmaZulu FC and Stellenbosch FC without conceding, before drawing with Mamelodi Sundowns in an MTN8 clash in their last match on September 2.
The wins over AmaZulu and Stellies have revived Chiefs' hopes of challenging for the two spots in the league this season as the Soweto giants are now placed fifth on the DStv Premiership standings - three points behind second-placed Lamontville Golden Arrows.
However, coach Molefi Ntseki's side will be up against a Royal AM side that has also been revitalized after securing two consecutive victories over TS Galaxy and Chippa United - snapping an eight-match winless run in the DStv Premiership in the process.
Thwihli Thwahla find themselves placed ninth on the league standings having accumulated the same number of points as Chiefs and coach John Maduka will be determined to ensure that the KwaZulu-Natal outfit moves into the top eight with a victory over Amakhosi.
Previous meetings
This will be the seventh competitive meeting between Chiefs and Royal since the latter purchased Bloemfontein Celtic's Premier Soccer League status in 2021.
Thwihli Thwahla have the upper hand in this rivalry having won four matches compared to Amakhosi's two victories.
However, Chiefs are undefeated in their last two matches against Royal having won their most recent meetings including a 2-1 win in the 2022/23 Nedbank Cup clash in April this year.
Their last league meeting ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of Chiefs in January this year at Amakhosi's alternative home ground, Peter Mokaba Stadium.
What they said...
Chiefs attacking midfielder George Matlou urged his teammates not to underestimate Royal, but he is optimistic about securing a win over Thwihli Thwahla.
"Royal AM are a good team, so we can’t go in underestimating them, thinking they had a slow start to the season," Matlou said.
"They have been picking up recently. We are looking forward to the game, though. Our preparations have been going well and the players are sharp so we are looking for a positive result.”
Meanwhile, Royal head coach John Maduka pointed out that his side is getting better and better following their win over Chippa and they will be seriously tested against Chiefs.
“We are getting better and better. It is good to win two games in a row, especially at how we started the season," Maduka said.
"So, we are happy that we managed to get three points. But it was not an easy game, because Chippa is a good team and they have a very good coach as well. “We are very happy that we won the game.”
Players who played for both teams
Tebogo Potsane recently became the second player to make a direct move between the two clubs when he joined Chiefs from Royal.
The diminutive attacking midfielder looks set to face his former Thwihli Thwahla teammates for the first time since leaving Maduka's side and he is the only former Royal player in the current Chiefs squad.
In 2022, Samir Nurkovic became the first player to directly move between the two clubs when he joined Royal from Chiefs, but the Serbian striker left Thwihli Thwahla without making his professional debut.
His former teammate Kabelo Mahlasela is the only ex-Chiefs player in the current Royal squad.
Players to watch:
Kaizer Chiefs
Pule Mmodi: The speedy winger is in top form in the league at the moment having netted three goals in his last two matches in the competition which earned him a late Bafana Bafana call-up earlier this month.
Mmodi, who is blessed with blistering speed and an eye for goals, will be looking to play an instrumental role in helping Chiefs make it three successive victories in the DStv Premiership this weekend.
Royal AM
Kabelo Mahlasela: The experienced winger is one of the reasons why Royal have won their last two matches having caught the eye with his creativity as he grabbed assists in the wins over Galaxy and Chippa.
Mahlasela has the ability to dribble past his marker with ease and create a goalscoring opportunity, and this will make him a threat to the Amakhosi defence as Thwihli Thwahla target their third league win in a row.