Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has described his team as “fighting” and “committed” ahead of a Betway Premiership clash against Chippa United which could bring them ever closer to sealing the Betway Premiership title.
The teams will meet at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night, with kick-off at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2), live on SuperSport.
Our week kicks off with midweek action under the lights of Loftus!🔥
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 5, 2025
⚽ Mamelodi Sundowns vs Chippa United
📆 07 May
⏰ 19H30
🏟 Loftus Versfeld Stadium
📺 SS 202
🎟️ https://t.co/8J6eWqziC8#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/jJJkRm0i7o
MATCH BACKGROUND
Sundowns have secured successive Premiership wins over Richards Bay and Cape Town City in the past week to move to within touching distance of an eighth successive Premiership title.
In fact, the Brazilians could mathematically clinch the title by late Sunday afternoon, this coming weekend.
Second-placed Orlando Pirates (who will be away to Golden Arrows on Tuesday 6 April) can reach a maximum total of 67 points, while Sundowns already have 61 on the board.
Even assuming a Pirates win over Arrows, victories for the Tshwane team over Chippa on Wednesday and Stellenbosch FC on Sunday would bring their tally to 67.
Add in their vastly superior goal difference (+41 compared to +18 for Pirates) and the title would be all but officially confirmed.
And if the Buccaneers do drop any points in midweek, then Sundowns can potentially start planning a major party for Loftus on Sunday.
But first they will have to overcome Chippa, who find themselves scrapping for a top-half finish and looking to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.
Back-to-back losses against Stellenbosch (0-1) and SuperSport United (0-2) have extended their winless league run to four games, and left them in eighth place on the log – level on points with ninth-placed Kaizer Chiefs and tenth-placed Marumo Gallants, but ranked ahead thanks to a better goal difference.
The Eastern Cape side have also played a game less than those two rivals, but cannot afford an extended spell of bad form if they are to play MTN8 football next season.
TEAM NEWS
Sundowns are set to be without midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who picked up a fourth yellow card of the season this past weekend and will serve a one-game suspension.
They could welcome back Peter Shalulile from a minor injury worry that kept him sidelined for the win over Cape Town City.
Chippa will be without Sirgio Kammies, who was sent off in the loss to SuperSport United and will serve a three-match suspension.
WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised his team’s effort and energy as they close in on the title:
“What to say? The boys are really fighting for what they want so much. We are very committed with every match. And now it’s time to go for the next one and the next one and try to, well, try to get it. But we need to respect everybody, all the opponents, and the next match [against Chippa United] will be again, a very tough one.”
Chippa United coach Thabo September has admitted that he erred in his tactics and formation against SuperSport:
“We started okay. The balance of play was good and everything that we knew was coming, came. [...] But I think we have to take the blame as coaches and say Plan A didn’t work. [...] And the moments that we got behind we lacked a bit of quality, but the players worked hard and played hard.”
KEY PLAYERS
Mamelodi Sundowns – Tashreeq Matthews
With the strain of a long season across multiple competitions, Sundowns have used their depth to good effect, especially in the case of a player like Tashreeq Matthews.
The 24-year-old midfielder has played more of an influential role as the campaign has gone one, notably scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 away win over Cape Town City this past weekend.
Chippa United – Justice Chabalala
Chippa United will need veteran centre-back Justice Chabalala to use all of his nous and experience to keep things tight at the back against free-scoring Mamelodi Sundowns.
If Chabalala and his fellow defenders can frustrate the hosts, then Chippa will have a shot at an upset result.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Chippa have met in 22 league matches dating back as far as the 2012/13 season.
The Brazilians boast an unbeaten record, with 15 wins and seven draws.
Sundowns have won the last five successive meetings of the clubs, including a 2-0 triumph in a Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in March, with goals from Teboho Mokoena and Tashreeq Matthews.
LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
- 2019/20 Chippa 1-1 Sundowns Maphangule; Maboe
- 2019/20 Sundowns 3-0 Chippa Lukhubeni, Zwane (pen), Vilakazi
- 2020/21 Sundowns 2-0 Chippa Maboe, Sirino
- 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
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2012/13)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 11 10 1 0 23 3
Chippa 11 0 6 5 5 11
Away
P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 11 5 6 0 11 5
Chippa 11 0 1 10 3 23
Total
P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 22 15 7 0 34 8
Chippa 22 0 7 15 8 34