Chiefs look to upstage defending champions

The defending Absa Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, will face one of their biggest tests of the season in their very first league game of the 2018/19 campaign when they host Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm, live on SuperSport.

As spectators we couldn’t have asked for a better start to the league with the biggest club in the country taking on the Brazilians as the Amakhosi look to make up for what has been a disappointing past three seasons.

Chiefs endured a difficult campaign through last season and only managed 48 points from their 30 league matches to come home in third place.

In an aim to rectify that the Soweto giants have replaced coach Steve Komphela with new manager Giovanni Solinas, who to be honest doesn’t have the best track record in South Africa, having previously worked at Free State Stars but with very little success.

Chiefs have also been busy in the player transfer with the signings of Virgil Vries, Letlhogonolo Mirwa and Andriamirado Andrianarimanana, while the likes of Tsepo Masilela, Keagan Buchanan and Sibusiso Khumalo have departed.

The Amakhosi’s biggest signing, however, has undoubtedly been Khama Billiat who joined the club from Sundowns and will be looked to solve Chiefs’ problems in front of goal.

Looking at Sundowns, the Brazilians claimed their eighth championship in the PSL era last season, as they finished on top of the log with a haul of 60 points from their 30 league matches.

Sundowns’ work in the transfer market has included the signing of Lyle Lakay from Cape Town City and international midfielder Andile Jali, while the likes of Percy Tau, Thabo Nthethe and Yannick Zakri left the club.

Head-to-head:

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers
2013/14 Sundowns 0-1 Chiefs Arendse (og)
2013/14 Chiefs 0-1 Sundowns Modise
2014/15 Chiefs 1-1 Sundowns Lebese; Modise
2014/15 Sundowns 0-1 Chiefs Parker
2015/16 Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns
2015/16 Sundowns 3-1 Chiefs Castro, Nthethe (pen), Katsande (og); Gordinho
2016/17 Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs Langerman, Vilakazi; Mphahlele
2016/17 Chiefs 2-1 Sundowns Parker, Soumahoro (og); Billiat
2017/18 Sundowns 1-2 Chiefs Zwane (pen); Ngezana, Parker
2017/18 Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns

League record (since 1985):

Home

P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 33 15 8 10 37 28
Chiefs 33 17 11 5 47 22

Away

P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 33 5 11 17 22 47
Chiefs 33 10 8 15 28 37

Total

P W D L GF GA
Sundowns 66 20 19 27 59 75
Chiefs 66 27 19 20 75 59

What the teams are saying

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane:

“We have been losing concentration in the latter part of our games recently and that is something we need to work on for both the league and the Champions League. It is sometimes mental, and we have to work on it.

“We will have to see which team we bring out because it is a little difficult with a game every three days because of the Champions League.

“We have the personnel‚ we just have to rest a few guys. Lyle Lakay has fitted in very well for us but we have a few injuries in the form of Anthony Laffor and Andile Jali.

“We have to score first. If you don’t do that it becomes 50/50 and that is how you kill the game. The Champions League is awkward. You think you have the game, but you don’t have it until the end. It is not like PSL. In the PSL when you are two goals up you know that you are almost done.

“You need experience because you feel you have the game wrapped up.”

Chiefs coach Giovani Solinas:

“I know the expectations are very high and it will be a tough game against Sundowns, but we are ready.

“In football you need time, because one can’t change too much overnight. There are a lot of great people working here, both on the field and at the office. It shows what a big club Kaizer Chiefs are. All the ingredients are available to perform at the top level.

“I am busy implementing my philosophy of football, which is attacking football. That takes time and that’s a reality.

“We have to be patient. But I am extremely happy with the attitude, the commitment and the focus of the players at training. We are working hard to improve the tactics, fitness and psychological approach.

“Playing against the reigning champions is never easy. Sundowns started their season early because they had to play African Champions League games. They are the favourites for this season and they have a fantastic coach in Pitso Mosimane, who leads his team in special ways.

“I would have preferred to have played them next month, but this is how it is.”

Sundowns’ key players:

Hlompo Kekana – The central midfielder was instrumental to Sundowns’ success last season. Not only did he captain the team well, but he led by example. He is solid defensively in the heart of the midfield and often breaks up the opposition attack with some well-timed tackles or interceptions. On attack he is a real asset as well with his ability to find the right pass or the back of the net from long range.

Gaston Sirino – The Uruguayan national burst onto the PSL scene last season and impressed all with his pace and skill down the left flank. He will be a key figure going forward for Sundowns as he will be expected to cause problems for the Chiefs defence and get crosses into the box.

Chiefs’ key players:

Willard Katsande – The Zimbabwean international is the rock in midfield for Chiefs. He is probably their most consistent player over the last three seasons and has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the country. He provides a great buffer in front of the back four and works tirelessly in midfield to get his team on the front foot.

Khama Billiat – Chiefs’ new acquisition will be key for their success this season. The Amakhosi have really struggled in front of goal in the last few seasons and Billiat will be looked at to create scoring chances and find the back of the net as well. He is undoubtedly one of the most skilful players in the league.