Kaizer Chiefs will be the latest side to test themselves against the Mamelodi Sundowns juggernaut when the teams clash in an enticing Betway Premiership encounter on Saturday.
It will be a third meeting of the season after Sundowns claimed 2-1 (League) and 4-0 (Carling Knockout) wins earlier in the campaign.
A lot has happened since that cup clash on November 2 last year, a moment AmaKhosi fans will wish to forget.
Here are five things that have occurred in the last four months.
BAFANA BAFANA QUALIFIED FOR THE AFCON
This will have been an achievement cheered greatly at Sundowns given the number of their players that make up the national team. Hugo Broos’ side booked their ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco later this year with a 2-0 win in Uganda on November 15. Next up, the resumption of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next month.
MAGESI FC WON A TROPHY
If you were to ask fans at the start of the competition who might win the Carling Knockout, the name of Magesi FC would likely be well down the list, even for many in Limpopo. But they stunned Sundowns in the final on November 23, winning 2-1, having also beaten Orlando Pirates along the way. They have, however, won only two games since then (D2 L10).
MANQOBA OUT, MIGUEL IN
Manqoba Mngqithi was coach of Sundowns for their 4-0 win over Chiefs in November, but within a little over a month he was sacked and the Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso brought in as his replacement on December 10. Since the arrival of the latter he has won 14, drawn one and lost two of his 17 games in charge.
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR CHIEFS
Chiefs have taken 18 points from their 13 league games since that 4-0 Carling Knockout defeat, an average of 1.39 per match. Sundowns have managed double that number, 36 points from their 13 games, or 2.77 points per game. They have won 12 of those, with their only blemish a surprise 1-0 loss at TS Galaxy earlier this month.
THREE OUT, THREE IN
There have been new arrivals, and some departures, at Chiefs since they last met Sundowns. DR Congo winger Makabi Lilepo, midfielder Thabo Cele and striker Tashreeq Morris have all arrived at Naturena, and already made an impact.
That has been offset by the departures of Centre-back Thatayaone Ditlhokwe to Libyan outfit Al-Ittihad, attacking midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane to Richards Bay and winger Christian Saile to SuperSport United. The latter looks a player reborn.