Makua backs young Kaizer Chiefs to beat Mamelodi Sundowns

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Frank Makua believes the club have a genuine chance of beating Mamelodi Sundowns for the first time in several seasons when the sides meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs, known as Amakhosi, lead the Betway Premiership after winning their opening two matches and collecting six points. They face a major test against the reigning CAF Champions League champions, but Makua feels the current team has the quality and mindset to meet the challenge.

The fixture is expected to provide a tactical contest, with Sundowns arriving as the established force in South African football and Kaizer Chiefs seeking to underline the progress made at the start of the campaign.

Despite the size of the occasion, the mood in the Kaizer Chiefs camp has been focused on securing all three points rather than simply settling for a draw. Makua expects that attacking approach to be rewarded.

“It’s 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs. The way things are at the moment, I believe they will rise to the occasion tomorrow,” notes a confident Makua, previewing the blockbuster with KickOff on Friday.

Makua is particularly encouraged by the contribution of the club’s younger players, who he believes have taken on the identity and expectations associated with Kaizer Chiefs.

“These small boys do understand the culture of the team, hence I believe they will rise to the occasion. They are doing all the basics, movement off the ball, and they are using speed. Football is all about speed.

“That’s what was lacking in the previous Chiefs teams.”

The former midfielder, who played a key role for Kaizer Chiefs between 1995 and the turn of the millennium, said the occasion should not intimidate the emerging squad. Instead, he believes the match offers the players an opportunity to establish themselves on one of the biggest stages available to them.

“Obviously the stage is gonna be big, but because they understand the culture of the team, they will perform.

“There is no bigger stage they will get again if they fail to make use of this one. This is a game [Luke] Baartman, [Langelihle] Phili, [Mfundo] Vilakazi and others should use to announce themselves,” adds the man who used to pull the strings for the side in midfield from 1995 right up to the turn of the millennium.

Luke Baartman, Langelihle Phili and Mfundo Vilakazi are among the young players Makua expects to make an impression against a Mamelodi Sundowns side that has won the CAF Champions League and remains one of the leading teams in the country.

The meeting at FNB Stadium kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday. Supporters have been encouraged to arrive early for the fixture.