There are no prizes for guessing where the 2023/24 DStv Premiership trophy will end up this season, but the big question is – can Mamelodi Sundowns go the entire campaign without a blemish on their record?
Masandawanana are on course to clinch a seventh successive league crown, further widening their footprint of dominance in the DStv Premiership.
However, their arch-rivals, Kaizer Chefs have a chance to spoil the party at FNB Stadium Thursday evening.
Amakhosi turned the corner this past weekend against SuperSport United where they returned to winning ways after a five-game barren spell.
Cavin Johnson’s side are oozing with confidence and Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena is aware that a high-spirited Chiefs side is capable of inflicting pain on anyone.
“We are playing against one of our arch-rivals and we are playing an important game where we have to go there with humility and a lot of respect.
“Chiefs are Chiefs and we know that on any day they can show up. How I look at it is that they are a big club and they deserve incredible respect,” Mokwena told members of the media.
“They have a good coach and I know him personally because I learned a lot from him, that’s how I look at it. They have some very good players and are a team that is capable of beating anybody. I have no doubt in my mind that they will make the top eight,” he added.
Victory for Chiefs would mean Downs will have to keep their champagne on ice and hope to seal the title in their next game against Golden Arrows.
The possibility of winning the championship at the home of your rivals is one of the sweetest moments in all sport, but Mokwena’s thinking has not been channeled that way, he insists.
“I have not really thought about it in that sense. Winning the title will be very sweet because it is an important competition and season for us,” he said.
READ: Kaizer Chiefs to go ‘pound-for-pound’ against unbeaten Mamelodi Sundowns – Cavin Johnson
“I’ve got a very soft spot for Cavin. We were once so close when he was the head of youth at Platinum Stars that we spoke on a daily basis.
“I remember one time he called me and said ‘Rulani, are you aware that I speak to you on the phone more than I speak to my wife?’.
“I don’t know if he remembers saying that but I spent so much time with him, he is an incredible human being and he is someone who I wish well for.
“He has done incredible things for South African football. He has produced so many top footballers like Steven Pienaar at the School of Excellence,” Mokwena said.
Kick-off is set for 19:30
"This fixture gives our players the platform to show what they've got!" 🔥
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 1, 2024
Ahead of tomorrow's mouth-watering encounter against AmaKhosi, Hlompho Kekana previews the tie with DJ Naves on our podcast! Watch the full episode now! ⬇
📲 https://t.co/jIXZAusm6W #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/JBWb1hT4yb
