Chiefs and Sundowns set for early Betway Premiership test at FNB Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs face Mamelodi Sundowns in the standout fixture of the opening Betway Premiership weekend when the sides meet at FNB Stadium at 15:00 on Saturday.

The match brings together two of South Africa’s biggest clubs at an early stage of the campaign, with Chiefs entering the contest at the top of the league standings after winning their first two matches.

Amakhosi began their season with victories against newly promoted Kruger United and Sekhukhune United. Those results have given Fernando Da Cruz’s side a strong start and lifted confidence before they face the defending heavyweight force of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns will arrive in Johannesburg also seeking to build momentum. Miguel Cardoso’s team secured a late victory against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium during the week and will hope that result can be the platform for another win.

Chiefs could have most of their regular squad available for the fixture. Sundowns, however, may be without influential midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who is considered a doubt for the meeting.

Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel started both of the club’s opening league matches at centre-back alongside Zitha Kwinika. He said representing a club of Chiefs’ stature should be regarded as an honour rather than an undue burden.

“Everyone talks about pressure at Chiefs,” he said.

“I always say to our young players that pressure is when you have to feed your family and you can’t do it because you don’t have work.

“Pressure is when you have someone on a hospital bed and there is nothing you can do about it. I felt pressure when my grandmother was in hospital in Portugal and I was in Angola, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

“Playing for such a big team like Chiefs is not pressure, but it is a privilege, and it comes with responsibility.”

The weekend’s action began on Friday with Stellenbosch FC moving into third place after a convincing 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants.

The result also produced a landmark moment for Quwan Plaatjies. The 20-year-old became the first player to score a hat-trick on his PSL debut.

The remaining fixtures are spread across Saturday and Sunday, with four matches scheduled for Saturday.

AmaZulu play Siwelele FC at 15:00, followed by Sekhukhune United against Polokwane City at 17:30. Durban City meet Richards Bay at 20:00, while Milford FC host Kruger United at the same time.

Sunday’s programme begins with Chippa United against Orlando Pirates at 15:00. TS Galaxy then face Arrows at 17:30.

The weekend’s main focus, though, will be on FNB Stadium, where Chiefs will look to protect their perfect start and Sundowns will attempt to follow up their midweek success with another statement result.