Big Match Feature: Chiefs v Sundowns

The destiny of the Absa Premiership title for the 2019/20 season could well be decided by the meeting of the log table’s top two teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday evening.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT live on SuperSport TV and Dstv Now for live streaming.

Chiefs, long-time leaders and seemingly destined to pick up a major honour in their 50th year of existence, have won just one of their last five league matches after being held 1-1 at home by Stellenbosch on Sunday, 23 August.

The Amakhosi keep leaving the door to the title open, and a loss to Sundowns in this clash will see the teams level on points with each having three games left to play in the final week and a half of the season.

Chiefs will head into the match without the services of top-scorer Samir Nurkovic, who picked up a caution against Stellenbosch on Sunday and is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

“It is a huge loss, there is no doubt about it,” said Chiefs manager Ernst Middendorp of the Serbian’s absence. “At the moment, we must look at how to find a solution, as we know, certain players in particular in the forward movement, are not on their best.

“Let me try to find solutions inside the squad we have, in which way we can strategise it, but it is definitely something that it is very painful for us.”

Sundowns, meanwhile, broke a four-game winless streak by defeating Golden Arrows 1-0 on Monday evening – with an injury-time winner from midfielder Themba Zwane. The result has put them three points off the pace of Chiefs, but manager Pitso Mosimane – in a neat bit of mind games and deflection – insisted that the Soweto giants are still the clear favourites.

"The coming game [against Kaizer Chiefs] is not in our favour, nothing is in our hands, the title is on Chiefs to lose, not on us,” explained the former Bafana Bafana mentor.

“We're just chasing, they've got the goals, they've got the points, they can't ask for more. I would have swapped my positions with them to be honest. I think [Ernst] Middendorp is in a good position.”

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Chiefs have met in 69 league matches since 1985. The Amakhosi have claimed 28 wins compared to 21 for the Brazilians, while 20 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side have won 17 of their 34 home matches in the rivalry, suffering six defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Loftus Versfeld in October 2019, Chiefs claimed a 2-0 away win thanks to a brace of goals from striker Samir Nurkovic. Sundowns have won just once in the last six league meetings of these clubs.

STAR PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs

Lazarous Kambole –The Zambian has had a tough time at Chiefs, though he at least opened his account for the club in the draw with Stellenbosch. With Samir Nurkovic suspended and Leonardo Castro likely injured, Kambole could well be asked to lead the attack on Thursday evening.

Daniel Akpeyi – The big Nigerian goalkeeper has been backed by manager Middendorp to retain his starting place for the remainder of the season, and he will look to repay the faith shown in him with a strong performance against the Brazilians.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Themba Zwane – The midfielder finally reached the 10-goal mark for the season when he netted the winner against Golden Arrows. With his tail up, Zwane will be eager to add to his tally against Chiefs on Thursday and put Sundowns on course to defend their league championship.

Gaston Sirino – Unlocking the Chiefs defence is no easy task, but in Gaston Sirino Sundowns have an attacking player with the vision and technique to exploit any weaknesses or mistakes. The Uruguayan is a man the Amakhosi will need to keep a close eye on.

Head-to-Head

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2014/15 Sundowns 0-1 Chiefs Parker

2015/16 Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns

2015/16 Sundowns 3-1 Chiefs Castro, Nthethe (pen), Katsande (og); Gordinho

2016/17 Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs Langerman, Vilakazi; Mphahlele

2016/17 Chiefs 2-1 Sundowns Parker, Soumahoro (og); Billiat

2017/18 Sundowns 1-2 Chiefs Zwane (pen); Ngezana, Parker

2017/18 Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns

2018/19 Sundowns 1-1 Chiefs Nascimento (pen); Mphahlele

2018/19 Chiefs 1-2 Sundowns Katsande; Laffor, Maboe

2019/20 Sundowns 0-2 Chiefs Nurkovic 2

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 34 17 11 6 48 24

Sundowns 35 15 9 11 38 31

Away

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 35 11 9 15 31 38

Sundowns 34 6 11 17 24 48

Total

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 69 28 20 21 79 62

Sundowns 69 21 20 28 62 79