Sundowns hunt league summit against Chippa

Mamelodi Sundowns will be determined to reclaim the Betway Premiership summit with a win when they host Chippa United at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, as domestic action resumes after the FIFA break.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Masandawana saw their six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions ended by a 2-0 defeat away to Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League on March 22 (though they advanced 3-2 on aggregate), but they are on an eight-match winning streak in the Betway Premiership.

Sundowns sit second in the Betway Premiership standings - a point behind leaders, Orlando Pirates, with Masandawana having a game in hand and a win over Chippa would deliver a major boost to their title bid by returning them to the top of the table.

Chippa, on the other hand, are enduring a difficult spell as they are winless in their last four league matches, registering two draws and two defeats, including a recent 2-1 loss away to Stellenbosch FC on March 21.

The Chilli Boys occupy the 13th spot in the Betway Premiership - two points above the relegation zone and they will be desperate for a positive result against Sundowns to boost their survival hopes, and build some momentum for the run-in.

TEAM NEWS

Mamelodi Sundowns will be missing Mothobi Mvala, who is working on his fitness after being sidelined by a long-term injury, but there are no suspension concerns for the champions.

Chippa United, on the other hand, will be without any major reported unavailable players for this fixture, though their squad depth will be tested against Masandawana.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners

“It’s always going to be a difficult one because teams at the bottom coming to the end of the season are always fighting for their jobs, fighting for their lives and fighting for their families,” Rayners said.

“So, it is not going to be an easy match, but for us also, it’s about keeping the momentum, keeping winning games — and we take it one game at a time; that’s the most important thing."

Chippa United head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi

“We need to go back to that and remind ourselves what we are capable of and make sure that the team is nowhere near relegation or playoffs," Vilakazi said.

"So we'll have to dig deep. Yes, we've lost this game, but it's water under the bridge. We need to focus on the next one and make use of this two-week break.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mamelodi Sundowns - Iqraam Rayners : The lethal forward is the Masandawana player to watch out for, having found the back of the net five times and provided one assist in his last six matches for the Tshwane giants.

Chippa United - Sinoxolo Kwayiba : The former Orlando Pirates forward has established himself as the Chilli Boys' main source of goals after rejoining the club in January, scoring four goals, including one in their recent Stellenbosch match.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2020/21 Chippa 1-2 Sundowns Kwem; Zwane (pen), Shalulile

2021/22 Chippa 0-0 Sundowns

2021/22 Sundowns 2-0 Chippa Mthethwa og, Mokoena

2022/23 Chippa 0-1 Sundowns Shalulile

2022/23 Sundowns 2-1 Chippa Mokoena, Shalulile; Lebitso

2023/24 Chippa 0-2 Sundowns Modiba, Chabalala (og)

2023/24 Sundowns 2-0 Chippa Mokoena, Matthews

2024/25 Sundowns 3-0 Chippa Rayners, Adams, Maseko

2024/25 Chippa 0-3 Sundowns Rayners, Sales 2