Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs face each other for the third time this season when the Brazilians play host to the Glamour Boys at Lucas Moripe Stadium this weekend.
Sundowns and Chiefs last faced off in the Telkom Knockout on November 2, 2024, a match the PSL champions won 4-0, that coming after they had won 2-1 in the league on September 28, both matches played at the FNB Stadium.
Since that big win for Sundowns in November, a lot has happened between the teams which will have a bearing on the outcome of Saturday’s match at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Mngqithi sacked, Cardoso appointed
Manqoba Mngqithi was still the coach when Sundowns beat Chiefs in November but he lasted just one month after, as he was sacked at the start of December with Portuguese Miguel Cardoso installed.
Mngqithi was sacked for results in the CAF Champions League, when Sundowns started their group stage campaign with two draws, but he had done well in the PSL up to that point, losing just one of his eight games and winning the other seven.
At Sundowns, that is not enough, however, and Cardoso was brought in to try and shake things up. He has so far done brilliantly, steering them to a 15-point lead in the PSL, Champions League quarter-final and to the last eight in the Nedbank Cup.
Different Sundowns, same old Chiefs
However, while Sundowns have been going from strength to strength under Cardoso, Chiefs have remained the same inconsistent side that coach Nasreddine Nabi took over.
Nabi had shown signs of changing the tide, when he started his reign with two straight wins, but the first loss to Sundowns exposed all their problems and when the Brazilians thrashed them 4-0, it was evident the tactician had a big job on his hands.
Chiefs are still struggling in the PSL, sitting eighth on the log with 25 points, 26 behind Sundowns, who have played one match more, and have not won even three straight league games, which suggests a change in fortunes is still far from being witnessed.
January signings shining for both teams
However, even with their contrasting fortunes, both teams strengthened heavily in the midseason transfer window.
Sundowns and Chiefs were among the busiest clubs in January, Cardoso’s team bringing in Jayden Adams from Stellenbosch, Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City) and Lucas Suarez (Telleres) while Nabi got striker Tashreeq Morris (SuperSport United), winger Glody Lilepo (Valenciennes) and midfielder Thabo Cele as a free agent.
The new signings have really improved both sides, with Adams and Suarez elevating Sundowns’ game ,while Morris and Lilepo are making the Chiefs attack fearsome as Cele pulls the strings in midfield.
All six will play a major part in Saturday’s game and will likely have a say in its outcome.
Ntwari no longer No.1 but keeper woes persist
Meanwhile, at Kaizer Chiefs, there has been a change of guard between the posts since they last faced Sundowns, with Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari having lost his spot.
Ntwari started the season as Chiefs’ first-choice goalkeeper following his signing from TS Galaxy and he was seen as the man to finally replace club legend Itumelng Khune.
However, after five straight matches, he was found wanting and when he suffered an injury in November, Nabi used the opportunity to make the change, with Brandon Petersen briefly handed the gloves.
However, Petersen also suffered an injury soon after with Bruce Bvuma elevated to first choice and he has been playing since December 16 with Ntwari watching on from the bench after his recovery.
However, that has still not prevented Chiefs from conceding and even though most of it is down to a poor defence, Bvuma has not covered himself in glory.
Shalulile & Rayners now playing together
At the time when Sundowns were thrashing Chiefs, striker Iqraam Rayners was the man of the moment as he could not stop scoring and he got a brace on the day, having scored the winner at the FNB in September.
Rayners had scored in three straight league matches and he was the main man upfront as Mngqithi preferred to play with him as the focal point in attack.
Peter Shalulile was a bit-part player, who had to contend with substitute appearances, and it looked like his time at the club was coming to an end.
However, since the appointment of Cardoso, the Namibian has found a new lease of life with the tactician finding a way to have him, Rayners and playmaker Lucas Ribeiro in the front three.
Heading into the match against Chiefs, Shalulile has started eight straight league games and will be a key weapon for Sundowns on Saturday, especially with his intelligence runs in and around the box.
