Sundowns test arriving too soon for Chiefs?

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says that his team’s Betway Premiership clash against perennial title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns has perhaps come too soon in the new season. 

The heavyweight teams will meet at the FNB Stadium on Saturday 15 August, with kick-off at 3pm CAT.

FORM AND TEAM NEWS

Kaizer Chiefs sit proudly atop the Betway Premiership log after they defeated Sekhukhune United 2-0 at home on Wednesday evening, with second-half goals from Luke Baartman and Mduduzi Shabalala making them the only team to record back-to-back wins thus far.

It was a key result for the Amakhosi, who needed to bounce back from a surprise defeat at the hands of Golden Arrows in the MTN8 last weekend.

The Soweto giants will now test themselves against a team which may no longer be the defending league champions, but remain the standard-setters for excellence in South Africa’s top flight.

Khanyisa Mayo, Paseka Mako, Thulani Mabsaso, Nkanyiso Shinga and Rushwin Dortley remain long-term absentees for Chiefs, while Flavio Silva and Ethan Chislett could be back to availability after recent injuries.

Mamelodi Sundowns got their league campaign off to a winning start, albeit in dramatic style, as they overcame TS Galaxy 3-2 away on Tuesday evening.

The Brazilians found themselves trailing 1-2 heading into the dying minutes, but substitute Sphelele Mkhulise popped with two late goals (one of them deep into injury time) to see the Tshwane side emerge victorious.

The win was a second in succession for Sundowns, who overcame Polokwane City 3-2 after extra time in the quarterfinals of the MTN8 last weekend.

In both matches, the 15-time PSL champions showed an uncharacteristic weakness in defence, particularly at set-pieces – something coach Miguel Cardoso will be keen to address.

The Brazilians will hope Teboho Mokoena is fit to return to the midfield after missing the match against Galaxy.

WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz is worried by a lack of preparation time for the clash with Sundowns:

"I'm a little disappointed because on the one hand it happens so early, and on the other hand it happens at a time when we're going to play three games in six days, whereas all the other PSL teams are going to play three games in seven days.

"I'm a little disappointed because we have a day of recovery [less] against a very good team that won the Champions League. So I'm a little disappointed for these two reasons that this match is happening on Saturday."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is concerned by his team’s propensity to concede set piece goals:

“It’s crazy, crazy how you can be targeted three times in two matches when you play in last year 50 and have the same number of [set piece] goals suffered. We have to go back on that and instill confidence because it’s always a matter of confidence, you cannot be on a set-piece without confidence.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs – Luke Baartman

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder scored his first goal for Chiefs in the win over Sekhukhune, and will enter the match against Sundowns full of confidence. Baartman will have to step up his level of performance even higher, but should be inspired by the challenge.

Mamelodi Sundowns – Sphelele Mkhulise

After a brace of goals off the bench to win the match against Galaxy in midweek, Mkhulise will surely play some role against Chiefs on Saturday – whether as a starter or super-sub – and he will hope to keep up the momentum he has built early in the season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Chiefs and Sundowns have met in 82 league matches dating back as far as 1985, with the Brazilians claiming 30 wins compared to 29 for the Amakhosi (plus 23 draws).

The teams cancelled each other out last season, with a 0-0 draw at FNB Stadium in August 2025 and a 1-1 draw in the return game in Tshwane in May 2026 – with goals from Brayan Leon and Flavio Silva.

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 Sundowns 2-0 Chiefs Kekana, Shalulile

2021/22 Chiefs 1-1 Sundowns Nange; Modiba

2022/23 Sundowns 4-0 Chiefs Sirino, Shalulile 2, Nasir

2022/23 Chiefs 0-1 Sundowns Maema

2023/24 Sundowns 2-1 Chiefs Ribeiro, Maema; Du Preez

2023/24 Chiefs 1-5 Sundowns Shabalala (pen); Matthews 2, Esquivel, Ribeiro, Lorch

2024/25 Chiefs 1-2 Sundowns Chivaviro; Ribeiro, Rayners

2024/25 Sundowns 1-0 Chiefs Ribeiro

2025/26 Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns

2025/26 Sundowns 1-1 Chiefs Leon; Silva

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 41 17 13 11 51 37

Sundowns 41 19 10 12 49 35

Away

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 41 12 10 19 35 49

Sundowns 41 11 13 17 37 51

Total

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 82 29 23 30 86 86

Sundowns 82 30 23 29 86 86