Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Duels to Watch

Kaizer Chiefs will welcome Mamelodi Sundowns looking to make a statement of intent after starting the season with three straight league wins.

Chiefs have nine points out of nine, having put together a three-match winning run for the first time since the appointment of coach Nasreddine Nabi in July 2024, and a fourth victory on the trot and against Sundowns would be some statement.

To do that, however, Amakhosi have to win some key battles depending on who Nabi, who will be back in the dugout after returning from compassionate leave, selects.

So, what are the key battles to look forward to between Chiefs and Sundowns?

Iqraam Rayners vs Inacio Miguel

One man Chiefs must watch closely is Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners who was ruthless against them last season, as he scored three of the eight goals the PSL champions managed, in four matches against Amakhosi last season.

Rayners easily got in behind the Chiefs defence and Miguel Inacio was among those in the back four last season. The Chiefs captain will therefore need to be at his brilliant best otherwise Rayners will run riot yet again.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo vs Teboho Mokoena

This massive contest will be won in midfield and how the two teams set up in the middle of the pack will likely swing the pendulum either way.

On Wednesday, it will be experience against youth as the Chiefs midfield will have youngster Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, who has impressed so far this season, while Sundowns will have the ever-present Teboho Mokoena.

Mokoena makes Sundowns tick as he does not just shield the defence but provides the base for their movement going forward and Ngcobo has been doing just that in the first three games with one goal to his name already.

Glody Lilepo vs Divine Lunga

A battle of winger against full-back, Chiefs’ Congolese winger Glody Lilepo is one of Nabi’s attacking weapons and thrives when given space to attack.

He is yet to score this season but he is not just good at getting goals but creating them as well and the man tasked with ensuring he does not cause damage is Sundowns left-back Divine Lunga.

Lunga likes to make runs forward to support the attack and bring in crosses but he must find the right balance otherwise Lilepo will exploit the space that he will vacate.

Wandile Duba vs Grant Kekana

This is a matchup that yielded dividends for Chiefs in the two teams’ last meeting in the Nedbank Cup semi-final last season.

Duba, who is blessed with pace, easily got behind the Sundowns defence, and it is from this that he scored the winning goal as Amakhosi came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory.

Will it happen again? Only Grant Kekana can answer this question as he is the man who will be leading Sundowns defence and will be keen to avoid lightning striking twice.

Paseka Mako vs Arthur Sales

Former Orlando Pirates left-back Paseka Mako is likely to get his first start of the season with Bradley Cross, Nkanyisa Shinga and Happy Msshiane injured and he has a big job on his hands.

With Lucas Ribeiro self-exiled, it is Arthur Sales who has been playing on the right wing for Sundowns and is the man Mako will come up against on Wednesday.

Limiting the Brazilian’s influence will help Chiefs stifle Sundowns and Mako has the task of watching over Sales.