Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana is wary of the threat posed by Kaizer Chiefs’ attack inspired by Gaston Sirino as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants prepare to lock horns in a DStv Premiership clash this weekend.
Chiefs host the defending champions at the 95,000-seater FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday at 15:00.
The two sides head into the clash to maintain their positive start to the league campaign.
Amakhosi and Masandawana have won their first two outings this season to be equal on six points
Under the stewardship of new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Chiefs have beaten Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu FC.
On the other hand, Downs, who also had a coaching change as Manqoba Mngqithi replaced Rulani Mokwena, defeated SuperSport United and Gallants.
This weekend presents an opportunity for one to take an early lead in the race for the league title and Kekana would want his side to be in the front by full-time.
But the reigning defender of the season understands it won’t be easy as Amakhosi appear to have improved under the new technical team.
Chiefs, who struggled in front of goals last season, have found the back of the net five times after two games in the new campaign.
The addition of former Sundowns playmaker Sirino appears to have been a masterstroke for the Soweto giants.
“They are very threatening,” Kekana told media ahead of the Saturday meeting.
“And we’ve played with Gaston for a number of seasons, we understand his strengths.
“(Ranga) Chivaviro is also doing well for them. The young boy, (Mduduzi) Shabalala, is also doing well for them, so I think they look very threatening when they go forward.
“We want to try and nullify their attack, which is something we will plan for and hopefully get to (execute the plan) properly on Saturday,” he said.
Kekana believes the match will be closely contested, unlike the previous fixture between the teams which ended in a 5-1 drubbing of Chiefs at the same venue last season.
“For us, we understand that a team that will make the least mistakes on Saturday will win the game,” Kekana said.
“So, for us, we must try to minimise the mistakes and counter the mistakes they (Chiefs) make.
“And a plus for us, it’s good that our strikers are scoring goals,” the defender added.
“They are finding the net now. When the season started, we were creating so many chances but not scoring them.
“It’s good that they persevered to start scoring and we just wish that it continues.”
'He's something special,' - Sundowns defender Grant Kekana on emerging Malibongwe Khoza.
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) September 26, 2024
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