Kaizer Chiefs face Mamelodi Sundowns test amid fixture congestion

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz says Saturday’s Betway Premiership meeting with Mamelodi Sundowns will provide an important measure of his side’s readiness, despite the demanding schedule they face.

Chiefs have made a perfect start to their league campaign, winning their opening two matches against Kruger United and Sekhukhune United. Their latest success came in midweek, when they defeated Sekhukhune United 2-0 at FNB Stadium.

The six points have placed Amakhosi at the top of the Betway Premiership standings and helped soften the disappointment of their early MTN8 quarter-final elimination by Golden Arrows.

Their next opponents, however, represent a significantly greater challenge. Chiefs will host Sundowns at the Calabash on Saturday, with Da Cruz viewing the fixture as a test of whether his team is prepared to compete against the strongest opposition on every front.

Sundowns are the reigning continental champions, having won the Champions League last season, and Da Cruz believes facing them will show how far Chiefs have progressed.

“We know that they are the best team in Africa because they won the Champions League last season. We will try to raise our game to a Champions League level on Saturday. The match will give us clear insight into the team’s readiness,” said Da Cruz during his post-match press conference at FNB after the 2-0 win over Sekhukhune.

The Frenchman welcomed the opportunity for his players to demonstrate their character against a side with Sundowns’ standing, but he also questioned the timing of the fixture.

Chiefs are being asked to play three matches in six days, while other teams have been given seven days between games. Da Cruz said the shorter period leaves his squad with less time to recover before the meeting with Sundowns.

“It’s a bit disappointing. The match is a little too early in the season,” Da Cruz noted. “We are the only team in the PSL playing three games in six days, while others have seven days. That gives us one less day to recover.

“But we are not making excuses. We will play the game as scheduled – it is what it is, and we can’t change it.”

The victory over Sekhukhune United followed Chiefs’ opening league win against Kruger United, giving them maximum points from their first two Betway Premiership matches.

Those results have allowed Amakhosi to begin the league season strongly, despite their early departure from the MTN8. Saturday’s fixture will now offer a tougher examination, with the club aiming to maintain its position at the top of the standings while coping with the compressed schedule.

Da Cruz said the match would not be used as an opportunity to complain about the calendar. Instead, Chiefs will proceed with the fixture as arranged and attempt to produce a performance at the level required to challenge the reigning Champions League winners.