Chiefs face another big defeat

January 2023

By Mark Gleeson

The contrast in fortunes between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns has grown so large that even the crowd at Soccer City when the two giants meet is dominated by supporters in green and yellow rather than black and gold.

Five successive championships for the Brazilians contrast starkly with Chiefs’ failure to win a single trophy in the last seven seasons.

The gulf in quality players between the two teams has been all too evident in recent years and was underlined last Friday as AmaKhosi lost 4-0 away to AmaZulu. That was their second four-goal thumping this season in a new low for the club. The other came away in Pretoria at the start of the campaign at the feet of Sundowns, who now travel to Soccer City this Saturday looking to repeat that success.

Few will bet against Rhulani Mokwena’s side taking Chiefs apart again. Sundowns have not lost in their last five away games against them and are in rampant form, opening up a convincing lead at the head of the DStv Premiership.

Chefs, on the other hand, are still looking for a first goal of 2023, having lost to Sekhukhune United at home and AmaZulu away since the turn of the year.

This weekend’s PSL matches start on Friday with Sekhukhune United hosting Swallows FC and Cape Town City at home to TS Galaxy, whose defence remains among the best in the league even if they do not seem to know their way to goal.

Galaxy have conceded only eight goals, but have scored a paltry eight goals themselves and their last three successive games have all ended in goalless draws.

Orlando Pirates netted twice in injury time to secure a much-needed 3-1 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows last weekend, just when it looked as though the game was heading for a tame draw.

That ended Pirates’ astonishing run of not having netted a single goal in the second half of league games this season, though they left it very late to break the curse! It was also their first win in the league since they beat the same Golden Arrows 2-0 away from home in October and will give them heart for Sunday’s home game against Stellenbosch FC.

Steve Barker’s side are in a slump and without a win since early October. They are only above the relegation places courtesy of goal difference.