Chiefs aim to make statement against ‘benchmark’ Sundowns

Kaizer Chiefs defender Thabiso Monyane says his side can draw confidence from their recent record against Mamelodi Sundowns when the two South African giants meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday at 15:00.

Chiefs have avoided defeat in their past three meetings with Sundowns, despite the Brazilians winning six of the previous 10 encounters between the clubs.

Amakhosi defeated Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup two years ago before drawing both league matches last season. Monyane believes those results, together with the progress Chiefs have made, can help them approach the latest contest with belief.

“Coming in from last season, look, we drew with Sundowns twice. All I can say is that there is improvement, and we know their strengths, we know their weaknesses and we look to keep up on that,” Monyane told the media.

The 26-year-old was speaking at Naturena ahead of Chiefs’ Betway Premiership fixture against a Sundowns side that remains the benchmark in South African football after years of domestic dominance.

Chiefs have made an ideal start to the new league campaign, winning their opening two matches to move to the top of the standings. Sundowns also began with a victory, beating TS Galaxy 3-2 in their opening match.

The meeting will therefore bring together two teams with positive momentum, although the significance of the fixture extends beyond their early-season form. Both clubs are expected to challenge for the Betway Premiership title, giving Saturday’s match the character of an early statement encounter.

Chiefs are trying to re-establish themselves among the leading contenders under manager Fernando Da Cruz, while Sundowns will be seeking to reinforce their position as the standard against which other South African teams are measured.

Monyane’s comments suggest Chiefs believe the gap between the sides has narrowed. Their recent unbeaten run provides evidence that Sundowns are no longer an opponent they must approach with fear, even though the longer-term head-to-head record remains firmly in the visitors’ favour.

Past results, however, will not decide what happens at FNB Stadium. Sundowns have the quality to punish any defensive lapse, and Chiefs will need to carry out their tactical plan with discipline if they are to extend their unbeaten sequence against the Brazilians.

A win would preserve Chiefs’ perfect start to the Betway Premiership season and strengthen their early advantage at the top of the table. It would also signal that they are ready to compete seriously with the country’s most successful recent side.

For Sundowns, victory would stop Chiefs’ early momentum while providing another indication of their own title ambitions. The result could also offer an early measure of whether Chiefs’ improvement is capable of translating into a sustained challenge over the course of the campaign.

With both teams targeting the Betway Premiership crown, Saturday’s fixture carries importance well beyond the three points on offer.