Kaizer Chiefs have endured a torrid time of things against Sundowns. However, there’s cause for optimism ahead of the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.
Chiefs haven’t beaten Sundowns since 2021
Amakhosi’s recent results against the Brazilians don’t paint the prettiest picture. A controversial 2-1 win for Masandawana extended their unbeaten streak against Chiefs to nine matches across all competitions. You have to go back to April 2021 for Chiefs’ last win over Sundowns in any competition. Ironically, Uruguayan Gaston Sirino was a goal-scorer for Sundowns on that afternoon. Can he stick the knife into his former employers when the sides meet again? He’s returned from injury sooner than expected and got himself a goal against SuperSport which is a massive bonus for Nasreddine Nabi.
Amakhosi are unseeded but hitting form
Chiefs, Magesi, Richards Bay, and Marumo Gallants were in the unseeded pot for the Carling Knockout QF draw. Meanwhile, Sundowns, Cape Town City, TS Galaxy and Stellenbosch were the seeded sides after finishing in the top eight last season. Amakhosi knew they were getting a seeded opponent and got the most difficult task on paper. However, if they can get past the Brazilians they’ll quietly fancy their chances of going all the way. Here’s the full draw with the holders Stellenbosch travelling to Limpopo to face Marumo Gallants.
- Richards Bay vs Cape Town City
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns
- TS Galaxy vs Magesi FC
- Marumo Gallants vs Stellenbosch FC
Amakhosi will invest in attackers when January rolls around
According to Soccer-Laduma, Amakhosi could revisit interest in the experienced Kenyan legend Olunga to complement Ranga Chivaviro up top. They also want to sign a new winger to allow Gaston Sirino to operate in the number 10 role when Mduduzi Shabalala needs a rest.
“You see at the moment the Fiston Mayele mission looks impossible because after losing Fagrie Lakay, Pyramids FC don’t want to lose Mayele as well. That’s why Chiefs are now looking at Michael (Olunga) for January as well. So they are revisiting that interest. They feel it will be much easier getting Michael at this point than to stay on the Mayele chase,” said one source.
Will Chiefs upset the odds against Sundowns?
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