On Saturday afternoon, two sides who have a deep history on the pitch will face off in a sold-out affair and a packed Lucas Moripe Stadium when Mamelodi Sundowns host Kaizer Chiefs in the return fixture of their Betway Premiership encounter.
Masandawana came from a fruitful trip in Polokwane in a smash-and-grab against Sekhukhune United and went on to extend their lead on top of the log. Their focus has now shifted to what is anticipated to be a mouthwatering meeting against the Soweto-based side. Looking ahead to the encounter, coach Miguel Cardoso said despite the mammoth of fixtures they are experiencing this season, his side has been putting in the work to ensure they grab maximum points in this upcoming fixture.
“Preparations for this match have been short. We arrived from Polokwane at three o’clock in the morning on Thursday and the focus has been on recovery, getting back some energy, and preparing for Kaizer Chiefs in so little time. We will, however, try to cope with all these variants and try to naturally approach the match with a great mindset to compete in the game,” he said.
While the two sides have already met twice this season, it will be coach Miguel’s first encounter against Amakhosi. While he is also aware of the running dominance his side has had against Chiefs, the Portugal-based tactician said this fixture will not be treated any differently from the other fixtures. He said: “I understand the rivalry between the two teams but all fixtures are equally important. We will treat this game the same way we treated the game against Sekhukhune United and the one before that.”
On what his side should expect from the Glamour Boys on Saturday, coach Miguel predicts that their Kaizer Chiefs counterparts will have the same approach as their previous games. With how exciting the rivalry is, the coach also anticipates a difficult encounter.
“I don’t think he will change his general approach to the game. He can strategically adapt certain principles, and we can also adapt ourselves. He’s not just any kid that is coaching in football for the first time. I have respect for him. He knows what he’s doing, and he wants to develop his team, which is what he wants because he’s preparing for the future of the club,” coach Miguel stated.
“These games have different contexts. What I mean is these games bring something different. They highlight the best of the team and the best of the players. That’s why there’s always so much excitement for these teams. But most of the time, these kinds of games are not always the best ones or technically well-played matches. But sometimes they are. With Pirates, it was not a beautiful match, it was a competitive match but with a lot of tactical things happening during the match. So, that’s what I expect also from this match,” he concluded.
Mamelodi Sundowns will face Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off has been scheduled for 15H30, live on SuperSport TV and SABC.
Good luck Masandawana tomorrow against Chiefs, let us be very caucious in our approach but feel free to play because we are not under pressure, let us go out there and enjoy the game. I must also say that the first goal we conceded against sekhukhune, was childish and amarturish, Tebza correctly went to stop a threat on the left of our defence and there was open space behind and immediately after that Jody failed catch the ball, then Otladisa attacked the open space and the ball, but Allende, Adams and Suarez did not close that space and hence Otladisa was scored the goal unmarked.At this level you dont give away such easy goals.Players must learn to get behind the ball when not in possession, simple basics of the game.Please do not undermine Chiefs but dont put yourselves under pressure, just play your normal game and most importantly follow the coache’s instructions.Anyway congrats for the win in our last game, you all played well, however, Tebza, Shalulile and Morena were excellent.KBY
Jody you commited a couple of mistakes young man, and I believe you have learnt you mistakes, we learn by mistakes and you are no different, It was expected that you could commit such mistakes since you not always playing ,you lack match fitness and please do not punish yourself, forgive yourself and move on.Ronza made a lot of mistakes while still young and considing a lot when playing for Bafana Bafana and Supersport but today he is the best we have in Africa.