Kaizer Chiefs confident gap to Mamelodi Sundowns is narrowing before FNB Stadium clash

Kaizer Chiefs defender Thabiso Monyane believes his side are closing the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns as they prepare to host the league leaders in a major test at FNB Stadium on Saturday (15:00).

Chiefs are aiming to end a 10-match winless run in this fixture, although they can take encouragement from holding the African Champions to draws in both of their meetings last season.

Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the contest in recent years, but Monyane says Chiefs have developed a better understanding of their opponents and are ready to exploit any weaknesses they may find.

“Yeah, look, I mean, coming into this game from last season, we drew with them twice,” Monyane said.

“All I can say is that there has been improvement. We know their strengths, we know their weaknesses, and we’ll look to capitalise on that.

“It’s a very interesting game, a really epic clash.”

The defender also called on the Kaizer Chiefs supporters to fill the stadium and provide the energy the team will need against Sundowns.

“I urge the Kaizer Chiefs supporters to come out in their numbers and support us because they really mean a lot to us.

“They push us and give us that match-winning spirit. So, we want them to come out in numbers and support us.”

Chiefs go into the game after recording successive league victories and will hope that their improved form can help them produce a positive result against a Sundowns side that has also won its past two matches.

Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz said his players and coaching staff must raise their standards to compete with the quality of Sundowns and make the match resemble a Champions League contest.

“We have analysed them, but we know that it will be a tough game, and from our squad and our technical staff, it will be for us to push our level to be the same and make it a Champions League game,” Da Cruz said.

Da Cruz expects the occasion itself to motivate his squad, but warned his players against becoming distracted by the importance of the fixture before kick-off.

“For me, it is easier to prepare for these types of games because the motivation is natural for players. But I don’t want the players to play this game before the game is played.”

Mamelodi Sundowns will arrive at FNB Stadium having beaten Polokwane City in the MTN8 before following that result with a league victory over TS Galaxy.

The meeting gives Chiefs an opportunity to build on last season’s two draws and challenge Sundowns’ recent dominance of the fixture. For Monyane, the team’s knowledge of their opponents and the backing of their supporters could prove decisive as Chiefs seek to break their 10-match winless sequence against the African Champions.