Chiefs, Downs primed for blockbuster MTN8 clash

Kaizer Chiefs will go head to head with Mamelodi Sundowns in an eagerly-anticipated MTN8 semifinal first-leg encounter at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is 3:00 pm CAT

Match background

Amakhosi will feel that this titanic match is coming at the time right with the Soweto giants having hit form - winning their last two matches convincingly including a recent 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday and they will now look to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered against Sundowns in a DStv Premiership clash last month.

The Soweto giants, who are hoping to go all the way and clinch the MTN8 title for a record-extending 16th time, were eliminated from this tournament at this stage of the competition by AmaZulu FC last season and they are now determined to go one step further by reaching the final where anything would be possible.

However, Chiefs have a mammoth task at hand as reigning DStv Premiership champions Sundowns are the most in-form team in the country at the moment having won all of their competitive matches this term - a seven-match winning run which includes a recent 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in a league clash on Wednesday.

The Tshwane giants' formidable squad was assembled with the main purpose of dominating local football by winning all major trophies and Masandawana are also eager to go one step further in the MTN8 having been eliminated by eventual champions Orlando Pirates in last season's semifinals.

Previous meetings

This will be the 29th cup meeting between Chiefs and Sundowns since 1985 with the former having the upper hand in this rivalry.

Amakhosi have recorded 12 victories compared to Masandawana's six wins while 10 matches ended in a stalemate.

Their most recent cup meeting ended in a 2-2 draw and Sundowns emerged as 2-1 winners on penalties in an MTN8 quarterfinal match played in August 2021.

Therefore, Masandawana are undefeated in their last three cup matches against Amakhosi - winning the three encounters.

What they said...

Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki has made it clear that they know what to expect from Sundowns as he looks to mastermind the Tshwane giants' downfall.

"We have seen their game model, they have an identity and they play as a team," Ntseki said.

"The most important thing is that we have to put our front foot forward but we have to give respect to them as a team, not because we lost to them in the last game.

"We know that a lot is at stake and we have to perform on the day which means we have to score goals and defend."

Ntseki's Sundowns counterpart, Rhulani Mokwena admitted that they are going for a win against Chiefs in order to boost their confidence ahead of the second-leg clash to be played on September 23.

"It is going to be a very interesting game with two good sides. We have to play it as a once-off and try to make sure that we get the result that gives us good possibilities to approach the second leg with good confidence," Mokwena said.

"The mentality for us this season is to prepare as well as we can and try to win every single match. We beat them in the league but this is a completely different competition and an important stage of the competition.

"We want to do better than we did last season and it is important to put ourselves in a different position with this position."

Players who played for both teams

Some of the greatest players in the history of the PSL have turned out for both Chiefs and Sundowns including Brian Baloyi, Khama Billiat, David Kannemeyer and Collins Mbesuma.

Keagan Dolly, who is set to miss Saturday's match due to lack of fitness, is the only former Sundowns player in the current Amakhosi squad following Billiat's departure three months ago.

On the other hand, Reyaad Pieterse is the only former Chiefs player in the current Masandawana squad having been part of the last Amakhosi team to win a major trophy which was in 2015 and the towering goalkeeper could be on the bench this weekend.

Players to watch:

Kaizer Chiefs

Pule Mmodi: The tricky winger is in top form at the moment having grabbed a brace against AmaZulu FC last weekend before scoring in the midweek win over Stellenbosch - establishing himself as Chiefs' key attacker.

Mmodi's ability to shoot and score from range, and also make well-timed runs into the opposition's box will make him a serious threat to Sundowns' defence.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Lucas Ribeiro Costa: The left-footed forward has stepped up with Sundowns' talisman Peter Shalulile out injured and he is currently placed at the top of the DStv Premiership scoring charts with four goals.

Costa has not only impressed with his scoring ability, but he is also able to create goals having provided two assists across all competitions which makes him a dangerous attacker.