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‘Fatigued’ Downs face unbeaten Chiefs in next challenge

football25 August 2025 14:00| © Backpage TXT
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Fresh off a damaging defeat against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8, Mamelodi Sundowns will now take on Kaizer Chiefs in their next Betway Premiership tie at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The Brazilians crashed out of the MTN8 competition this past weekend, following a 4-1 penalties defeat to Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium last Saturday.

Nevertheless, Sundowns are yet to taste defeat in the Betway Premiership this season and will go into their next game on the back of a 2-0 win against Magesi on 20 August.

Prior to their last league match, Sundowns bagged a 2-0 victory against AmaZulu on home soil, while they opened their Betway Premiership account with a 1-1 draw alongside Chippa on 9 August.

Amakhosi on the other hand, have a 100 per cent win-rate in the Betway Premiership after three matches played. Following victories against Stellenbosch and Polokwane City respectively, Chiefs last saw out a 1-0 win against Richards Bay on 19 August at the Calabash.

As it stands, Chiefs occupy second on the league table, with Sundowns trailing in third, two points behind their upcoming opponents.

WHAT WAS SAID

Chiefs captain Inacio Miguel has urged his side not to draw any complacency ahead of their game against Downs and at the same time, expressed that the Glamour Boys ought to focus on their own game.

“We have to be focused on ourselves, in our job and what we can do to go over Sundowns,” Miguel said. “Of course, we will analyse to see the strengths and weaknesses of Sundowns. They have some weak points in the same way that they have some strong points.You need to be ready for that, and that’s the main focus.”

In summary of his side’s loss to Pirates in the MTN8 semifinals, Sundowns mentor Miguel Cardoso believed that fatigue played a big role in their defeat in Pretoria.

“Fatigue is not a physical thing, it’s a brain thing, and because of fatigue, we made many more mistakes,” Cardoso said. “When we were playing the World Club Cup, Pirates were resting and still when we were playing, they were in preparation for this season. It means we are a little bit late compared to others, and we know we are not at the place where we want to be to play such matches.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kaizer Chiefs: Gaston Sirino – Amid Chiefs’ glowing start to the season, Sirino has been one of the club’s best players so far. At the age of 34, Sirino is showing no signs of slowing down and remains a threat on the edge of the area.

Mamelodi Sundowns: Iqraam Rayners – While Sirino can be deemed as one of Amakhosi’s attacking stars, much of Sundowns’ finishing will depend on Rayners. The clinical striker can cause mayhem in the Chiefs backline, particularly with his movement on and off the ball.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last five league results:

2022/23 Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

2023/24 Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs

2023/24 Kaizer Chiefs 1-5 Mamelodi Sundowns

2024/25 Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

2024/25 Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 40 17 12 11 51 37

Sundowns 40 19 9 12 48 34

Away

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 40 12 9 19 34 48

Sundowns 40 11 12 17 37 51

Total

P W D L GF GA

Chiefs 80 29 21 30 85 85

Sundowns 80 30 21 29 85 85

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK FIXTURES

Times CAT

Tuesday 26 August
- 7:30pm: Orlando Pirates v Orbit College
- 7:30pm: Polokwane City v Durban City
- 7:30pm: Richards Bay v Chippa United
- 7:30pm: Stellenbosch FC v Marumo Gallants
- 7:30pm: TS Galaxy v Siwelele FC

Wednesday 27 August
- 7:30pm: Golden Arrows v Magesi FC
- 7:30pm: Sekhukhune United v AmaZulu FC
- 7:30pm: Kaizer Chiefs v Mamelodi Sundowns

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