Kaizer Chiefs v Mamelodi Sundowns
The PSL title race has hottened up after Mamelodi Sundowns drew level on points with Kazier Chiefs at the top of the table last weekend. AmaKhosi do, however, have two games in hand over Bafana Bastyle due to being involved in the CAF Champions League this season.
Chiefs were denied a miracle comeback by overturning their first leg 3-0 loss to Congolese team AS Vita as they won just 2-0 at FNB Stadium on Saturday – Knowledge Musona and Morgan Gould getting the goals. AmaKhosi now appear to be facing a big 10 days as they look to put some daylight between themselves and their title rivals. In addition, Amakhosi will no doubt be looking to put the disappointment of crashing out of the Champions League behind them as well. First in line for the Glamour Boys are basement-dwellers, Golden Arrows, on Wednesday. Then follows this potential defining match, with a win for Chiefs crucial to easing the pressure in the final five weeks of the campaign. Next Wednesday sees Stuart Baxter’s charges go up against Black Aces. Clive Barker’s side are an impressive football team, and could pose something of a threat. What seems to stand in Chiefs’ favour is that they are playing at home in all three games. The Black and Gold are undefeated in 25 matches on home soil. A major boost on Saturday is the return of captain Itumeleng Khune between the sticks. The skipper injured his ankle during warm up before the Champions League first leg game against Liga Muculmana de Maputo early last month.
Sundowns recorded their fifth win on the bounce with a 2-1 victory over Tshwane rivals University of Pretoria at Loftus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Anthony Laffor and Lebohang Mokoena, though, were not enough to send Downs top, due to Kaizer Chiefs’ superior goal difference. Still, with this kind of form, Sundowns will increasingly have the belief that they are in with a chance of a first league title in seven years – and the first trophy in six. Pitso Mosimane continued to pay faith in the players that have been performing for the Brazilians over the past few weeks with the only change coming in goal; Kennedy Mweene returned between the sticks for the hosts in place of the injured Wayne Sandilands. Attackers Anthony Laffor, Lebohang Mokoena and legend Surprise Moriri have been at their best with some key players out with injury. The Brazilians will also be boosted by the return of a key player as attacking midfielder Khama Billiat is now ready to come back into the fray. The 23-year-old has recovered from a foot complaint that has sidelined him for Downs’ previous six games.
A Bernard Parker deflected free-kick separated these sides in the first round with Chiefs winning just 1-0 at Loftus. With so much at stake this could be another nervy affair. It’s difficult seeing Chiefs lose their 25 game unbeaten run at FNB Stadium. They have conceded just five goals at home in their 10 league games this season. The draw is on the cards.
