As Kaizer Chiefs prepare to host high-flying Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership, Soccer Laduma looks back at three occasions when Amakhosi stunned the Tshwane giants in recent years when it was least expected. Can Zwane’s men stop Sundowns?
Amakhosi have been struggling recently, dropping points as they have slipped further behind the dominant log leaders. But as they head into the next fixture, head coach Arthur Zwane will be hoping his boys can collect three points to get back to winning ways after suffering defeats to AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United.
We look back at three victories Chiefs registered against the Sundowns in the last five years or so.
2021: Sundowns 1 Chiefs 2
Before facing Sundowns in April 2021, Amakhosi had gone on a run of three matches without a win in the Premiership. And when Sundowns opened the scoring through Gaston Sirino 10 minutes before the break, many would have been excused for thinking it would be a routine win for the Tshwane giants. But Chiefs, who were coached by Gavin Hunt at the time, bounced in the second half, thanks to an own goal from Mosa Lebusa and a winning goal from Dumisani Zuma. Sundowns, however, went on to win the title.
2019: Sundowns 0 Chiefs 2
Coached by Ernst Middendorp, Chiefs made an impressive start to the season as they were trying to dethrone Sundowns as champions. In this clash played in Tshwane, they registered a 2-0 win, thanks to a brace from Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic, who was in fine form during his first season with the Soweto giants. He scored in each half to inspire Chiefs to victory. Sundowns had their pay back in the second half of an extended season, due to COVID-19 and lockdown, when they beat Amakhosi 1-0 and broke Naturena hearts by clinching the title on the final day of the season. All table-toppers Chiefs, needed to do was beat Baroka, but they drew, and Sundowns took advantage.
2017: Sundowns 1 Chiefs 2
The two giants met in the first half of the season in another three-goal encounter. Coached by Steve Komphela at the time, Chiefs went ahead early in the second period through defender Siyabonga Ngezana. Almost 20 minutes from time, Bernard Parker extended Amakhosi’s lead. Themba Zwane pulled one back for Sundowns, but they were unable to get the equalizer as Chiefs held on. Sundowns went on to win the 2017/18 Premiership title.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have a long history of competitive matches, and both teams will be looking to add to that history in their upcoming fixture. As Chiefs prepare to host the Tshwane giants, they will be hoping to draw inspiration from their recent victories against Sundowns when it was least expected. Can Zwane’s men stop Sundowns?
The gap between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs is 1️⃣ point less than what Chiefs has accumulated all season.Sundowns DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/vPCgcU1h8a
— Mamelodi Sundowns Sharpeville Branch® (@MS_Sharpeville) January 16, 2023
