Kaizer Chiefs player Ashley Du Preez challenges for the ball during the against Stellenbosch fc player Anicet Oura during the DSTV premiership at the FNB stadium Just how far Kaizer Chiefs will go in their search of Betway Premiership may be determined this weekend against Mamelodi Sundowns. Seen here: Kaizer Chiefs player Ashley Du Preez in action against Stellenbosch FC player Anicet Oura. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
The true title credentials of Kaizer Chiefs may just be laid bare for all to see when they take on -the current champions of the land — Mamelodi Sundowns in their Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Chiefs have set AmaKhosi and SA football fans tongues wagging, after they won their two opening games of the league.
Chiefs made headlines by winning their first league clash of the season — against Marumo Gallants — under new coach Nasreddine Nabi. Despite it being their first game, it prompted wild praise and belief among the trophy-starved fans that Chiefs’ could mount a title challenge in the 2024/25 season.
AmaKhosi fever reached even greater heights on Wednesday, as they thumped AmaZulu 3-1 at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Even after their first win, many began talking about Chiefs’ title credentials and that has only intensified after their AmaZulu assassination.
By all accounts, Chiefs are playing with a renewed passion and vigour under Nabi.
However, all the talk may just be a lot of hot air as the Soweto Giants set their sights on the true power in the PSL. The current juggernaut of SA football, having won their seventh league title in a row last season, Sundowns may have something to prove against Chiefs.
In comparison, it almost went unnoticed that Sundowns expectedly also won their first two league clashes. They also happen to top the league log, ahead on goal difference but tied with Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows, Chiefs and Polokwane City on six points.
Another sign pointing to a possible power shift is Gaston Sirino. Having signed in the off-season from Sundowns to Chiefs, the Uruguayan has already found the net for his new club after just two appearances. The 33-year-old winger who spent six years with Sundowns may want to prove his former club made a bad decision to let him leave.
It would indeed be quite poetic if Sirino were to score a winner for Chiefs against Sundowns, but that may not come as a surprise to Nabi.
Speaking about Sirino after he scored a wonder goal against AmaZulu, Nabi said: “He’s one of the greatest examples of rage (burning desire), quality and positive impact on the entire squad.”
Them’s fighting words indeed. Whether they’re just words, a passionate AmaKhosi crowd just outside Soweto will bear witness to this weekend.