Excitement and tension are thick in the air as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) big guns Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to have a go at each other early into the new Betway Premiership season this weekend.
The football powerhouses meet in a titanic clash at the iconic FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday at 15:00.
Here we bring everything you need to know about the highly-anticipated clash.
Chiefs aim to pass the Sundowns test
With Chiefs having won their first two fixtures into the new season, there has been huge excitement from their fan base as they believe the glory days of the yesteryears are finally coming back.
Chiefs kicked off their campaign under the new leadership of coach Nasreddine Nabi with victories over Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu FC.
However, Sundowns is set to provide a stern test for the Glamour boys and indicate how far the Soweto giants are from the promised land.
Meanwhile, Sundowns appear to be finding their feet under the stewardship of coach Manqoba Mngqithi and the players are buying into his new style of play.
This after Mngqithi had a rocky start as they were knocked out of the MTN8 semi-finals by Stellenbosch FC.
That made some people doubt if the coach was the right man for the job after the sacking of Rulani Mokwena, who had made the Tshwane Giants difficult to contain.
READ: Top five betting markets to take advantage of in the Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns showdown
While it is still early into the new campaign, both sides wouldn’t want to fall too far behind each other.
Masandawana, the defending champions, will look to do as well as they can in the domestic league before they get their Caf Champions League group stages participation underway.
All this makes this fixture interesting and not to be missed.
How to watch
The match will be carried live by the public broadcaster, SABC, on their different platforms SABC 1, SABC Sport channel and SABC radio stations in different languages.
Also, pay-TV SuperSport, on their PSL channel 202 and the streaming platform, Showmax.
The broadcasts will include a build-up with analysis from football experts which starts at 14:00.
Betting odds
Sundowns are the favourites to clinch maximum points despite being the away side against Amakhosi.
Despite the slow start to the season, the defending champions have proven they are still a formidable side and will be difficult to beat.
Also, the Soweto giants appear on an upward trajectory.
This clash is likely to be a closely contested affair with the possibility of producing a few goals.
While the smart money will be on Mngqithi’s charges, don’t expect Amakhosi to roll over and die at home.
You can place a bet here.
37/10 Chiefs | Draw 39/20 | Sundowns 8/10
FNB Stadium
The popular venue, also known as the Soccer City, is in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg.
With a capacity of 95,000, FNB Stadium is one of the biggest stadiums in the world and the biggest sporting venue in South Africa.
The stadium is popular for hosting the opening match and the final of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, among other things.
While mostly used for football, the stadium has hosted three Springboks matches, two against the All Blacks and the other against Argentina.
The Calabash has also seen several concerts staged there, including artists such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, U2, One Direction, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, The Carters, Cassper Nyovest and many more.
Limited parking will be available for drivers of TOYOTA vehicles in the designated parking zone at FNB Stadium. Parking is on a first come, first served basis.
— StadiumManagementSA (@OfficialSMSA) September 26, 2024
Gates open 12:00. Travel early and arrive safely!#SMSA #FNBStadium #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/dUoeeURYXH
Last meeting
The last meeting between the two sides saw the Mokwena-led Sundowns embarrass Amakhosi with a drubbing of 5-1 at FNB Stadium on 2 May 2024.
Head-to-head
2 May 2024 – Chiefs 1-5 Sundowns
23 September 2023 – Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs
2 September 2023 – Chiefs 1-1 Sundowns
9 August 2023 – Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs
21 January 2023 – Chiefs 0-1 Sundowns
Players to watch
Chiefs’ new signing Gaston Sirino has been on every local football enthusiast for his stellar performances.
He has remained a big part of the conversation in the build-up to the clash against his former employers, Sundowns.
Sirino’s former teammates and defender Grant Kekana spoke about how well they know the Uruguayan forward and the need to nullify him and his fellow attackers.
Chiefs youngster Mduduzi Shabalala, defenders Inacio Miguel, Rushwin Dortley and Bradley Cross will be the other players to watch in Amakhosi.
For Sundowns, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will be key in marshalling their defence and starting build-ups from the back.
Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners, Tashreeq Matthews and Thembinkosi Lorch will all need to be watched closely by the Chiefs’ defence.
