Nasreddine Nabi is determined to end Kaizer Chiefs' poor streak against Mamelodi Sundowns when the two titans clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, September 28.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Current form:
May's 5-1 mauling will still be fresh in the minds' of the Glamour Boys which extended their winless run against Bafana ba Style in the Betway Premiership to six matches.
Amakhosi have won their opening two games of the new season under Nabi, who kicked off his tenure with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Marumo Gallants before seeing off AmaZulu 3-1 in midweek.
90 + 4’| #AMA 1 : 3 #CHI
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 25, 2024
Fulltime score: (Ighodaro 47’) AmaZulu FC 1 : 3 Kaizer Chiefs (Chivaviro 12’, Sirino 14’, Miguel 23’)
Betway Man of the Match: Inácio Miguel#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/LhMXxLKT2q
The Tunisian tactician lamented the fact that his team only have two days to prepare for the visit of the Brazilians, but believes that playing at home in front of their passionate fans will give the Soweto giants an edge.
Sundowns have also made a perfect start to the campaign and it is no surprise to see them at the summit, although they are in a five-way tie with Orlando Pirates (2nd), Chiefs (3rd), Golden Arrows (4th) and Polokwane City (5th) on six points.
Manqoba Mngqithi's side weren't anywhere near their best as they beat Tshwane rivals SuperSport United 2-0 on matchday 1, but they lead the way on goal difference following a 4-1 thrashing of Gallants earlier this week.
Mngqithi isn't about to underestimate Chiefs though, despite having not beaten the reigning champions since 25 April 2021 when they rallied from a goal down to emerge 2-1 victors in Pretoria.
What was said:
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi
"We are still learning and keeping our bases, we have a lot of things to build on. We are still very much in the construction phase. We need some time to build on this because it is just the second match.
"I would have loved to have more time to prepare the team tactically because the approach is different from AmaZulu.
"We will give it 200 per cent effort. We're Kaizer Chiefs. Sundowns is one of the greatest teams on the continent. We respect them, but we play at home."
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi
"It's always difficult to pre-empt what is going to happen in the next match. It's our wish to see the team scoring goals; it's our wish to see the team creating a lot of opportunities.
"But, with due respect, it is always important to give respect to the opponents. You don't want to go into that match with a sense that you are entitled to get the results, or you are entitled to score goals, because I think at the moment Chiefs are also playing well."
Players to watch:
Kaizer Chiefs - Gaston Sirino could come back to haunt his former employers, having been snapped up by the Glamour Boys on a free transfer in August following his release by Sundowns. The Uruguayan winger has been instrumental to Chiefs' fine start, registering a goal and an assist in his first two games, with Nabi labelling him a "top-quality" player.
Mamelodi Sundowns - Iqraam Rayners has continued where he left off last season despite being in new surroundings. The 28-year-old striker plundered 15 goals in the top flight last season, prompting the Brazilians to sign him from Stellenbosch and he's hit the ground running after scoring a goal each against Matsatsantsa and Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
Head-to-Head: (Previous Five League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Chiefs wins - 0
Sundowns wins - 4
Draws - 1