Thabo Cele reveals how Kaizer Chiefs plan to spoil Sundowns’ title party

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele admits his team will likely play on the transition against Mamelodi Sundowns when the two sides clash on Wednesday.

Chiefs visit Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld with both teams having different ambitions, the hosts looking for three more points to edge them closer to a ninth league title in a row, while the Glamour Bots need victory to firm up third place and CAF Confederation Cup qualification.

However, given the quality of Sundowns, added to the fact that Chiefs are yet to beat them in the league in 10 attempts, eight ending in wins for the Brazilians, Cele admits Amakhosi will be the underdogs but can contain the top quality of their hosts and stun them at their backyard.

Cele on Chiefs approach against Sundowns

Thabo Cele of Kaizer Chiefs. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“Sundowns are a good team to play against because they are very tactical and technical. The way they play, they have a lot of patience, so it becomes a mind game. I love those games,” Cele told the club’s website.

“They are going to want to have a lot of the ball because that is how they create their chances and how they avoid transitions. For us, playing away, we will look for opportunities when we break, but when we get into their half, we also want to keep the ball.

“That is what they use to win games, so if you can starve them of that, it becomes an advantage for you. It is a very interesting game for us.

“Throughout the season, we have not been able to win those important games, especially in Africa (Confederation Cup), the Nedbank Cup and the first Soweto Derby against Pirates. Those are the games you want to win, so going into this one is a big opportunity for us.”

Amakhosi ready to spoil title party

Sibongiseni Mthethwa of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Jayden Adams of Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

With Sundowns requiring to win all their remaining three games to be crowned, Cele says Chiefs will not roll over in Pretoria but are also there for maximum points which will see them fend off fourth-placed AmaZulu for the Confederation Cup position given Usuthu are five points behind.

“If you look at recent history, Sundowns have been dominating the league in terms of winning trophies,” added Cele. “They are going to want to win it again because now they have someone competing with them, which is our rivals Orlando Pirates.”

“For us, considering our recent history, we are coming closer and closer, step by step. Things are interesting for South African football at this moment,” the 28-year-old further stated.

“Of course, Sundowns will want to catch this title again, but maybe we can spoil the party for them. We are also on our own journey, and these are the games you want to win.”