Kaizer Chiefs will be targeting another win over a Tshwane giant when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in Thursday's DStv Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium.
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Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Amakhosi breathed a sigh of relief when they snapped their five-match winless run across all competitions by securing a 2-1 victory over SuperSport United at home on 27 April.
47 matches and 605 days without losing in the #DStvPrem 🤯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 29, 2024
Sundowns are just three points away from securing the title and their next game is against Amakhosi on Thursday night 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/upPnebS0Fj
Therefore, Chiefs are back in the top eight as they are occupying the eighth spot in the DStv Premiership - two points above 12th-placed AmaZulu FC and a point behind sixth-placed Cape Town City.
FINALLY FOR CHIEFS 🔚
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 27, 2024
The Glamour boys win in the #DStvPrem for the first time since the 5th of March ✅😲
Meanwhile, Sundowns returned to winning ways when they thrashed TS Galaxy 3-0 at home on 29 April and it was their second win in their last five games across all competitions.
Masandawana need just three points to clinch this season's DStv Premiership title as they are 13 points above second-placed Stellenbosch FC and they also have two games in hand. However, Sundowns will win the league championship if Stellenbosch fail to beat Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
TEAM NEWS
Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove will be missing due to suspension while Tebogo Potsane, George Matlou, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Itumeleng Khune and Keagan Dolly have been ruled out of the game because of fitness issues.
Sundowns, on the other hand, will be without Rushine De Reuck, Teboho Mokoena, Abdelmounaum Boutouil, Siyanda Nyanga, Thapelo Maseko and Divine Lunga who are all out injured, but the team has no suspension concerns.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson
“We got a good result against SuperSport, but that does not give us an opportunity to rest on our laurels (against Sundowns)," Johnson said.
"I think it will be tough for both teams, but I hope whatever analysis we do, and according to the personnel available, on the pitch, we are able to nullify them (Sundowns) and we are able to win because it is our home game."
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena
"I don't know if they have been unlucky because I haven't really watched them with that much detail. What would be my message?" Mokwena asked.
"Is that we are playing against a big team. We are playing against one of our arch-rivals. We are playing an important game and we have to go there with humility and with a lot of respect. That would be the message."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Christian Saile, Kaizer Chiefs: The left-footed winger will be brimming with confidence after ending his goal drought against SuperSport and he will be confident of inspiring Amakhosi to another victory when he faces Masandawana.
Peter Shalulile, Mamelodi Sundowns: The experienced striker is also oozing with confidence after ending his goal drought against Galaxy. Shalulile will be keen to ensure that Masandawana complete a league double over Amakhosi having won 2-1 in the first round last August.
Head-to-Head
LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2018/19 Chiefs 1-2 Sundowns Katsande; Laffor, Maboe
2019/20 Sundowns 0-2 Chiefs Nurkovic 2
2019/20 Chiefs 0-1 Sundowns Sirino
2020/21 Chiefs 0-3 Sundowns Shalulile, Erasmus, Zwane (pen)
2020/21 Sundowns 1-2 Chiefs Sirino; Lebusa (og), Zuma
2021/22 Sundowns 2-0 Chiefs Kekana, Shalulile
2021/22 Chiefs 1-1 Sundowns Nange; Modiba
2022/23 Sundowns 4-0 Chiefs Sirino, Shalulile 2, Nasir
2022/23 Chiefs 0-1 Sundowns Maema
2023/24 Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs Ribeiro, Maema; Du Preez
LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 38 17 12 9 49 30
Sundowns 39 18 9 12 47 34
Away
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 39 12 9 18 34 47
Sundowns 38 9 12 17 30 49
Total
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 77 29 21 27 83 77
Sundowns 77 27 21 29 77 83