Champions Mamelodi Sundowns host Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership in Atteridgeville on Saturday in a clash that was already sold out earlier this week.
Sundowns will be looking to keep up their handy lead at the top of the table, which sees them 15 points ahead of second placed Orlando Pirates, who have four matches still to catch up.
Sundowns are also 26 points ahead of Chiefs, who are in eighth position in the standings with as many wins (seven) as they have had league losses this season.
Saturday’s clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium will be an intriguing contest with several key duels to watch out for:
RUSHWIN DORTEY v PETER SHALULILE
Mamelodi Sundowns’ goal ace is closing in on the record of 129 PSL goals scored by Siyabonga Nomvete but will have no free reign at Atteridgeville on Saturday.
The Namibian has not been as prolific this season as teammates Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro but is beginning to show his form of old as he features in a potential devastating three-man attack that is giving defenders countrywide nightmares.
But the 22-year-old Dortley, newly signed from Cape Town Spurs, is proving one of Chiefs’ few highlights of season. He was horribly inconsistent last campaign at relegated Spurs, albeit played across the back four.
Ostensibly signed as a right back, he has moved to central defence with ease and earned himself as place in the national team.
TEBOHO MOKOENA v YUSUF MAART
Control of the midfield is going to be key in the clash and it is here that Mokoena’s acumen might win the day for the home side.
Maart is certainly not the same quality of player but what he lacks in technical skills, he seeks to compensate with huge endeavour and a positive attitude and is always willing to work hard.
He will be supported by new signing Thabiso Cele while Mokoena will have Bathusi Aubaas shadowing him behind and offering him freedom to join late on the attack and try and get away some of his fearsome shots.
Maart can also score, no better emphasised than by the fact he has two derby goals against his old club Orlando Pirates.
THAPELO MORENA v BRADLEY CROSS
With Khuliso Mudau still out injured, Thapelo Morena will be fielded by Sundowns on the right side and be looking to use his speed on marauding runs up the flank. He will be up against Cross in what should be an interesting contest.
Cross took a lot of flak after AmaKhosi lost to SuperSport United in their last game after being exposed on the left side of Chiefs’ defence.
He was not used for the derby against Pirates when coach Nasreddine Nabi went for the safer defensive option of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe instead, but the Botswana captain has since moved to Libya.
Cross is likely to be chosen over Happy Mashiane but whoever it is is likely in for a horrid time given Morena’s pace.
𝙏𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙎𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝙊𝙐𝙏
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 24, 2025
⏰ We encourage all ticket holders to arrive at the stadium as early as possible!
🚫 No tickets will be sold at the stadium #Sundowns #BetwayPrem #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/e61fP8i2oc