Sekhukhune United vs Kaizer Chiefs prediction, betting tips and match preview

Competition: Betway Premiership 2025/26  |  Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane  |  Date: Sunday, May 10, 2026

Introduction

Sekhukhune United welcome Kaizer Chiefs to the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday in a Betway Premiership fixture that could go a long way towards settling the CAF Confederation Cup race.

Chiefs sit third in the table on 48 points with three games left, while Sekhukhune are fifth on 42 after their midweek 3-1 win at Chippa United pulled them back into the conversation.

A victory for Amakhosi would all but end Babina Noko’s hopes of a top-three finish, while Sekhukhune know that only maximum points keep their continental ambitions alive heading into the final two rounds.

Match preview

The context of this fixture is clear: both teams are fighting for something tangible with the season running out of road.

Kaizer Chiefs have had a strong second half of the campaign under co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, including a run of five consecutive league wins between mid-March and mid-April that lifted the mood around Naturena.

That sequence has stalled recently, though.

Amakhosi have not won any of their last four league matches, losing 2-0 at Siwelele FC before drawing with both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday was arguably their best result of the run, coming away from Pretoria with a point that virtually secures CAF football for next season, but it came at a cost.

Sekhukhune, meanwhile, are operating under interim management following the departure of Eric Tinkler last month.

Paulus Masehe and Andre Arendse have steadied the ship after a difficult initial spell that included a defeat to Stellenbosch and a draw with Marumo Gallants.

The 3-1 win at Chippa on Wednesday was the first time Babina Noko scored three in a league game since the reverse fixture against Chiefs back in September, and it was a badly needed shot of confidence.

That result moved them to 42 points, six behind Chiefs, meaning they need to win their remaining three matches and hope Amakhosi slip up.

It is a narrow path, but Sekhukhune have nothing to lose, and that kind of desperation can be dangerous.

On form, Chiefs are the stronger outfit overall this season, but their recent wobble is a concern, particularly on the road.

Sekhukhune have been solid at the Peter Mokaba, where their direct, physical style of play tends to make life uncomfortable for visiting teams.

Head to head

These two clubs have met nine times in the Premiership since Sekhukhune’s promotion in 2021, producing four Chiefs wins, three Sekhukhune victories and two draws.

The overall record suggests tight, competitive fixtures, and the scorelines back that up.

The reverse fixture on September 16, 2025, was a memorable one for Babina Noko.

Bradley Grobler scored twice (in the fifth and 50th minutes) and Thabang Monare added a third on 56 minutes as Sekhukhune stunned Chiefs 3-1 at FNB Stadium, with Flavio Silva’s 13th-minute strike providing only brief hope for the hosts.

That result ended a run of three straight Chiefs wins in the fixture and proved that Sekhukhune are more than capable of going toe to toe with the Glamour Boys.

Last season’s two meetings were split, with Chiefs winning 2-0 at home in January 2025 and Sekhukhune earning a 1-1 draw at Peter Mokaba.

The trend in this fixture is that the away side has won more often than you would expect, with four of the nine meetings going to the visitors.

Team news

Sekhukhune United

The biggest absence for Babina Noko is veteran striker Bradley Grobler, who has been sidelined since the start of April with an injury.

The 38-year-old has eight league goals this season, including a brace in the reverse fixture, and his absence up front is a major loss given he remains the team’s most clinical finisher.

Masehe will likely look to the same attacking setup that dismantled Chippa in midweek, with Keletso Makgalwa, Vusimuzi Mncube and Bright Ndlovu providing pace and directness in forward areas.

Thabang Monare and Siphesihle Mkhize should anchor the midfield, where Sekhukhune will need to win the physical battle.

There were no fresh injury concerns from the Chippa game, though the squad’s return from Eastern Cape was disrupted by flight issues at King Phalo Airport, and Masehe acknowledged they lost two or three days of preparation time as a result.

Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs have been hit hard in the treatment room ahead of this one.

Mduduzi Shabalala is out for the rest of the season after suffering a fractured right humerus during the Sundowns clash, an injury that required surgery.

The 22-year-old was one of the team’s most creative attacking players and his loss is a real blow for the final three games.

Siphesihle Ndlovu is suspended after picking up a booking against Sundowns, depriving Chiefs of one of their key midfielders.

Wandile Duba remains a doubt with a groin injury that kept him out of the Loftus trip, though the club’s medical team are working to get him fit before the end of the campaign.

George Matlou is also expected to miss out with a knee problem.

Gaston Sirino, who came on as a substitute against Sundowns after Shabalala’s injury, is the most likely candidate to fill the number 10 role, though Asanele Velebayi and Mfundo Vilakazi are also options.

Predicted lineups

Sekhukhune United (4-2-3-1)

GK: Toaster Nsabata

DEF: Tsepo Matsimbi, Bright Ndlovu, Medupi Thokolo, Vuyo Letlapa

MID: Thabang Monare, Siphesihle Mkhize

ATT MID: Ngoanamello Rammala, Vusimuzi Mncube, Keletso Makgalwa

ST: Andy Boyeli

Kaizer Chiefs (4-4-2)

GK: Brandon Petersen

DEF: Thabiso Monyane, Aden McCarthy, Inacio Miguel, Bradley Cross

MID: Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Lebohang Maboe, Pule Mmodi, Gaston Sirino

ATT: Flavio Silva, Makabi Lilepo

The managers

Paulus Masehe (Sekhukhune United, interim)

Masehe stepped into the hot seat alongside Andre Arendse after Sekhukhune parted ways with Eric Tinkler last month.

The interim pair have a record of one win, one draw and one defeat from their three games in charge.

Masehe’s approach has largely retained the direct, physical identity that Tinkler established, though the transition has not been entirely smooth.

His message ahead of this game has been straightforward: get three points and keep the CAF dream alive.

Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze (Kaizer Chiefs, co-coaches)

The Tunisian-Burundian duo took charge after Nasreddine Nabi’s departure in October, having previously served as his assistants.

Their record reads 12 wins, seven draws and three losses from 22 league games, a return that has Chiefs on course for their best points tally since the 2014/15 title-winning season under Stuart Baxter.

Kaze handles the defensive setup while Ben Youssef focuses on the attacking side, a split that has drawn some criticism from pundits who question the clarity of the co-coaching structure.

Their contracts expire at the end of the season, and securing CAF qualification would strengthen their case to stay, though reports suggest the club is already looking at alternatives for next term.

Tactical preview

Sekhukhune are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system that prioritises defensive solidity and quick transitions.

Monare and Mkhize will sit in front of the back four and try to disrupt Chiefs’ rhythm through the middle of the pitch, while Makgalwa, Mncube and Rammala provide the pace to hit Amakhosi on the break.

Chiefs have typically used a 4-4-2 this season, though the loss of Shabalala and Ndlovu could force a slight reshuffle.

Sirino dropping into the number 10 role behind Silva and Lilepo gives them creativity, but it also leaves the midfield short of legs, which is where Sekhukhune could exploit things.

The physical battle will be central to this game.

Sekhukhune thrive on aerial duels, long throws and set pieces, and they will back themselves to win the second-ball battles against a Chiefs defence that has been combative but occasionally loose in recent weeks.

Chiefs will want to control possession and move Sekhukhune around, but they will need to avoid the slow build-up play that has cost them against high-pressing teams.

One area to watch is the wide channels.

Frosler and Solomons push forward for Chiefs, which can leave space in behind that Makgalwa’s pace could exploit, particularly if Babina Noko win the ball high and transition quickly.

Equally, if Sekhukhune sit too deep, Chiefs have the quality in Sirino and Mmodi to unlock them with through balls and clever movement.