Chiefs, Polokwane set for Durban battle

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Oct 05, 2018. 15:00

Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City will battle for three Absa Premiership points when they meet at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 6 October 2018, kick-off at 18h00.

Chiefs extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven (but saw their winning streak of three games come to an end) when they were held 0-0 at Highlands Park on October 2. The Soweto giants have recorded five draws thus far in 2018/19.

The Amakhosi have claimed just four points from three home matches this season, though their last turn as hosts was a 2-0 win over AmaZulu in September. This match will be the first of two Chiefs must play behind closed doors at the Durban venue.

Polokwane extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a 1-1 draw at home to SuperSport United on October 2. The Limpopo club have taken 11 points from the last 15 available.

Rise and Shine have taken just four points from three away matches this season, though their last game on the road was a 1-0 win at Bidvest Wits in September.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Polokwane have met in 10 league matches since 2013/14. The Amakhosi have claimed five wins compared to one for Rise and Shine, while four matches have been drawn. The Soweto side boasts an unbeaten home record in the rivalry, with four wins and a draw from five turns as hosts.

Last season Chiefs took four points off Polokwane in the teams’ two league meetings: a 0-0 draw in the Limpopo province in the first half of the season, and a come-from-behind 2-1 win in Soweto in the return game.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Highlands on October 2: Khune, Mphahlele, Ngezana, Cardoso, Walusimbi, Katsande, Ntshangase, Manyama (Ekstein 65’), Billiat, Zuma (Zulu 82’), Paez (Parker 65’).

Polokwane’s line-up from their 1-1 draw with SuperSport on October 2: Chigova, Seabi, Motloung, Mvelase, Hlongwane, Nkili, Manaka (Baloyi 75’), J. Maluleke, Musona (Booi 64’), Ramagalela, Anas (Mngomezulu 84’).