WeeklySA_AdminJUGGERNAUT: Whenever these two giants meet, their players rise to the occasion and produce an exhilarating display…
By Masoja Cele
Will the reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns halt fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs’ winning spree or will the Soweto Glamour Boys continue their juggernaut over Bafana Ba Style in the Betway Premiership fixture at FNB Stadium on Wednesday?
Kick-Off 19h30.
The beginning of the Betway campaign is always something that brings excitement among football supporters. Normally, such high-profile fixtures are played in the middle of the campaign or towards the end.
But this season the Betway Premiership calendar has brought something extraordinary much earlier than expected as both sides will be playing their fourth league fixture. Whenever these two soccer bulls meet, their respective players rise to the occasion and produce their unique brand of exhilarating display.
Amakhosi endured a frustrating 2024/25 season, ending their campaign outside the Top 8. However, they soon rose to salvage their pride with a Nedbank Cup trophy beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the final. Chiefs resumed the 2025/26 campaign without the expertise of head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who had to travel to Tunisia to be with his ill wife. In the interim assistant coach Khalib Ben Youssef has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the team.
In the absence of Nabi, the Naturena side clocked back to back wins at Stellenbosch FC (2-0) and a 1-0 against Polokwane City. This season Amakhosi have bolstered the team with several quality players. Among the new signees are Etiosa Ighodaro (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako (both from Orlando Pirates), Asanele Velebayi( Cape Town Spurs}, Flavio Silva (Portugal) Nkanyiso Shinga (FC Alverca, Portugal), Siphesihle Ndlovu (SuperSport), Aden McCarthy and Hlongwane (both from Chiefs Development).
Rumours have it that Amakhosi are on the verge of signing Cape Town Spurs star Luke Baartman. The young Hlongwane is a player to watch on Wednesday. Against Stellenbosch, he performed above his weight, delighting his team‘s fans with his talent. The stage is set for him to shine this season only if he can keep his cool and stay focused throughout.
His partnership with Makabi Lilepo and Wandile Duba could be a menace to the Downs defence. The last time the two teams met was during the Nedbank Cup with Chiefs reigning supreme with a 2-1 win. The Brazilians will be seeking to avenge that loss at all costs. Unlike Chiefs, Bafana Ba Style had a slow start to their first 2025/26 Betway Premiership fixture playing to a 1 all draw at Chippa United.
But they bounced back in their following outings, claiming a 2-0 win against AmaZulu and Magesi FC respectively.
Bafana Ba Style could still be without the versatile Khuliso Mudau and Lucas Ribeiro Costa. The duo has yet to don Downs’ colours in the 2025/26 campaign. Mudau and Ribeiro last appeared for the Tshwane giants during the FIFA Club World Cup. Mudau is trying to convince his employers to release him to try his luck in Europe. The right-back received rave reviews for his stellar display during the FIFA tourney.
While Ribeiro Costa is alleged to have terminated his contract with the club and is reportedly to have taken the case to FIFA tribunal. After his highly impressive performance, Ribeiro Costa received a lucrative offer from Qatar SC, but Downs rejected the deal, hence the current impasse.
However, the Brazilians are hardly short of talent. They have restored their Namibian international Peter Shalulile back to the team after snubbing him for game-time last season. The runaway striker scored a great goal on Wednesday against Magesi.
If selected to play against Chiefs, he will pose a big danger to AmaKhosi defence. In the middle of the park, Bafana Ba Style will rely on the skill of workhorse Teboho ‘’Tebza’’Mokoena and the young and enterprising Jayden Adams, who also scored against Magesi.
This intriguing fixture would surely be won in the middle of the park.
