Mnguni predicts Sundowns will beat Chiefs 4-1 in Saturday’s Soweto derby

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Bennett Mnguni believes his former club will beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 when the two South African giants meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, with Mnguni expecting Sundowns to dominate a fixture that has developed into one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in South African football.

The former Sundowns, Lokomotiv Moscow and Tianjin Teda midfielder – with the Chinese club now known as Tianjin Jinmen Tiger – offered a confident assessment when asked to predict the outcome.

“Even that one goal that Chiefs will get, they will score it either via a free kick or penalty, not from a straight play.”

Sundowns and Chiefs were both established in 1970 and have since become two of the biggest and most recognisable clubs in the country. Their meetings have regularly carried added significance because of the stature of both teams and the rivalry that has emerged between them over the years.

Mnguni, who is 52, said his prediction was based on Sundowns’ recent performances rather than personal loyalty to the club.

“I rate Sundowns as much better, not because I favour the club but because when I look at how they played their past two games, I see us as the best on the day,” the former midfielder said.

He acknowledged that Chiefs have young players capable of making an impact, but argued that the team would benefit from a stronger blend of youth and experience.

“Again, I can tell you, I’ve got nothing against young boys [playing] for Chiefs, but you need two or three players with experience.

“That is because having all these kids, sometimes it does not give you the ace to win.

“With the quality players and experience we have, we will win easily against Chiefs.”

Despite his firm backing for Sundowns, Mnguni identified one weakness that could make the match more difficult for the Brazilians: their defending at set-pieces.

He pointed to goals conceded from dead-ball situations in two recent matches and warned that Sundowns could be punished again if they fail to improve.

“Our boys are not at the stage of winning dead-ball situations,” conceded Mnguni, who made two spells at Sundowns, playing for the club from 1998 to 2002 before returning briefly in 2006.

“We have been punished by free kicks, and not even once. If we get that right, we will go far.”

Mnguni made 78 league appearances for Sundowns in total. He is remembered as a hard-working midfielder and was one of South Africa’s prominent football exports to Europe during his playing career.

He is now based in Cullinan, where he runs the Bennett Mnguni Foundation.

The match is being billed as another meeting between two historic rivals, although Mnguni believes Sundowns’ current quality and experience will enable them to claim a convincing victory at FNB Stadium.

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