Struggling DStv Premiership side Maritzburg United will have a meeting with coach Ernst Middendorp to discuss the way forward. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns: PSL preview and kick-off time
PSL match preview: Kaizer Chiefs host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Orlando Stadium this evening in a potential championship decider
Struggling DStv Premiership side Maritzburg United will have a meeting with coach Ernst Middendorp to discuss the way forward. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs host Mamelodi Sundowns in a top of the table PSL clash at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday evening.
PSL Log leaders Kaizer Chiefs head into tonight’s clash with a three point lead over Mamelodi Sundowns with just four league games to go.
Kaizer Chiefs have endured a difficult time in the PSL’s bio-bubble picking up just five out of a possible 12 points on offer while Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered a similar fate having picked up just six out of a possible 15 points thus far.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Previous PSL meetings
Kaizer Chiefs have enjoyed 11 victories in their last 27 PSL clashes against Mamelodi Sundowns while the Pretoria outfit have come away triumphant on eight occasions. The remaining eight fixtures all ended in a draw.
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp and Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane have been at loggerheads for the entire duration of the 2019/20 PSL campaign however, as far as previous meetings are concerned, Mosimane has dominated Middendorp.
Pitso Mosimane has earned nine PSL victories against his counterpart while losing just once. His maiden loss however came most recently when Kaizer Chiefs defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in October 2019.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns: PSL team news
Kaizer Chiefs will be without their star attacker Samir Nurkovic due to suspension while it remains to be seen whether Leonardo Castro and Lebogang Manyama will be fit enough to start this evenings clash. Itumeleng Khune is also likely to remain out of the PSL Matchday squad once again.
Mamelodi Sundowns are set to be without Thapelo Morena through injury. Striker Mauricio Affonso has arrived in Johannesburg after being stranded in Uruguay for much of the lockdown however it’s unlikely that he’s fit enough to feature for the Brazilians. Andile Jali returns from suspension while Ricardo Nascimento will miss out through his PSL suspension.
We’re excited for the match – Middendorp
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp believes tonight’s PSL encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns will be a tough mental battle given what’s at stake.
“it’s going to be an emotional battle, of course bringing in a certain self-confidence based on what I said in the beginning that we have a position in this season being on top for nearly 100 percent of it.” Ernst Middendorp said ahead of the PSL clash.
“We have to be focused. We have to show the competitive attitude‚ in particular knowing what is at stake. A lot is a stake and everyone is aware of it. We will need to handle the emotions of the occasion.
“But finally to sum it up‚ we are excited. We are looking forward to having this game on Thursday and we cannot wait to get into the battlefield.”
It’s not the title decider – Mosimane
Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Pitso Mosimane believes that this evening’s PSL fixture doesn’t deserve the emphasis people are placing on it.
“The coming game against Kaizer Chiefs is not in our favour, nothing is in our hands, the title is on Chiefs to lose, not on us,” Pitso Mosimane told SuperSport.
“We’re just chasing, they’ve got the goals, they’ve got the points, they can’t ask for more. I would have swapped my positions with them to be honest. I think Ernst Middendorp is in a good position.
“Funny enough I don’t think Thursday is a title decider. The way I know these things, the way I have been with these things, sometimes it might be decided at the last match.”
Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns: PSL kick-off time, where to watch
Action between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns gets underway at 18:00. The PSL match will be televised live on SuperSport 4. You can also live-stream the game on DSTV Now (Subscription required).
