Chiefs, Sundowns set for title six-pointer

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Aug 26, 2020. 17:00

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet for an Absa Premiership title six-pointer at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday 27 August 2020, kick-off at 18h00.

Chiefs have won just one of their last five league matches after being held 1-1 at home by Stellenbosch on August 23, though the encounter at least saw the first goal for striker Lazarous Kambole. The Amakhosi have claimed 24 points from 12 home matches so far this season.

Sundowns broke a four-game winless streak and moved to within three points of leaders Chiefs with a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows on August 24, with Themba Zwane scoring an injury-time winner. The Brazilians have claimed 20 points from 13 away matches in the 2019/20 campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Chiefs have met in 69 league matches since 1985. The Amakhosi have claimed 28 wins compared to 21 for the Brazilians, while 20 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has won 17 of their 34 home matches in the rivalry, suffering six defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Loftus Versfeld in October 2019, Chiefs claimed a 2-0 away win thanks to a brace of goals from striker Samir Nurkovic. Sundowns have won just once in the last six league meetings of these clubs.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on August 23: Akpeyi, Frosler, Cardoso, Ngezana (Agay 76’), Sasman, Ntiya-Ntiya (Moleko 46’), Katsande, Ntshangase (Zuma 46’), Parker, Billiat (Kambole 46’), Castro (Nurkovic 26’).

Sundowns’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Arrows on August 24: Mweene, Ngcongca, Lakay, Lebusa, Madisha, Coetzee, Mkhulise (Vilakazi 84′), Kekana, Sirino (Zwane 66′), Mahlambi (Makgalwa 66′, Soumahoro 90’+5), Meza (Maboe 84′).