Football legend Hlompho Kekana believes Saturday’s Betway Premiership blockbuster between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns has come too early in the season, with both sides still working towards peak fitness and form.
The highly anticipated Gauteng derby is set for Saturday, 15 August, at FNB Stadium, with both teams making positive starts to the new campaign.
Chiefs have won their opening two Betway Premiership matches, beating both Kaizer Chiefs and Sekhukhune United, while Sundowns opened their campaign with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over TS Galaxy.
However, Kekana believes the timing of the fixture could prevent both teams from producing their best football.
Both sides have also been involved in the MTN8 this season after finishing among the top three in the league last term. Sundowns finished just one point behind champions Orlando Pirates, while Chiefs ended the campaign in third place.
Chiefs’ MTN8 campaign came to an early end after they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals.
Sundowns, meanwhile, advanced to the semi-finals after overcoming Polokwane City 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling quarter-final encounter.
With the new season still in its early stages, Kekana believes Saturday’s meeting could be more about where both teams are physically and tactically rather than a true indication of their full potential.
Nevertheless, the clash remains one of the most anticipated fixtures on the domestic calendar, with Chiefs looking to maintain their perfect league record and Sundowns aiming to make an early statement in the title race.
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