By Dylan Bettencourt
- Mamelodi Sundowns will host Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night to push for a record ninth league title.
- Kaizer Chiefs must beat Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night to secure third place and a CAF Confederation Cup tournament spot.
Orlando Pirates fans want a massive favour. They are praying Kaizer Chiefs can shock Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on Wednesday night.
The Betway Premiership match kicks off at 7.30 pm at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld.
A win for Kaizer Chiefs will slow down Mamelodi Sundowns. Sundowns are pushing to win a record ninth league title in a row.
Sundowns top the league table with 64 points. Orlando Pirates are in second place with 62 points.
Kaizer Chiefs have only won one of their last 10 league games against Sundowns.
But Chiefs can look back to their last match in Pretoria. They beat Sundowns 2-1 in last season’s Nedbank Cup semi-final. Ashley du Preez scored the late winner.
Sundowns defender Grant Kekana said a tough job waits for his team.
“It will be a tough game, and I think they have done well in the second round to be in the position that they are in,” Kekana said.
He said Sundowns know Chiefs are dangerous, even after Chiefs lost to Siwelele FC.
“We plan to nullify it on the day. It will be a tough game but it will be one that we have prepared for,” he said.
The two teams want different things. Sundowns want to open a bigger gap in the title race. Kaizer Chiefs want to secure third place to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sundowns play the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR next week. But Kekana said the team is only thinking about Wednesday.
“Right now our immediate focus is on Chiefs,” he said.
Sundowns recently beat Polokwane City twice.
“Our confidence is back up and we want to finish stronger,” Kekana said.
Pictured above: Grant Kekana.
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
