adminSuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs will renew their rivalry in Polokwane when they clash in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium today.In the corresponding fixture last season Matsatsantsa ended Chiefs 19-game unbeaten run in the league at the same venue with goals from Jeremy Brockie and Dove Wome securing a 2-0 win.
SuperSport United welcome back David Mathebula in midfield after he successfully recovered from a nose injury and the former Amakhosi midfielder is looking forward to getting one over his former team.
“I think it won’t be an easy match — they’re the champions, but obviously we want to win silverware as well. So it’s important that we pick up maximum points at home,” said Mathebula.
Asked about ending Chiefs run last season, Mathebula admitted that the victory will serve as motivation for Steve Komphela’s troops.
“That’s history, but obviously because we were able to beat them last season we’ll try do the same this season — I think that will serve as motivation for them too though, but this is our home game and we must capitalise,” he continued.
“The motivation is playing for SuperSport, that’s enough motivation for me, and playing well as an individual to try and help the team, and assist the strikers to score more goals this season.”
Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka, who went the opposite way — joining the Glamour Boys having played for SuperSport — is impressed by SuperSport’s pulling power in the transfer market, but has sent out a stern warning to the capital club.
“They’re obviously showing very early on that they want to be contenders for the league title. It will be a difficult game for us, but for them too – we worked very hard during the international break,” said Maluleka.
“The loss against SuperSport last season hasn’t really crossed my mind. I think at that point we didn’t expect it — having said that this is a new season.
“I’m expecting an attacking game, we expect them to come at us, but we will also not hold back – we want the win.”
Both teams are still unbeaten in the league this season with one win and two draws apiece.
In head-to-head stats, SuperSport and Chiefs have met in 49 league matches since 1990.
Matsatsantsa have 19 wins compared to 17 for Amakhosi, while 13 matches have been drawn.
SuperSport have won eight of their 24 home matches against Chiefs, suffering seven defeats in the process.
Last season Amakhosi won their home match 2-0 in Soweto, but Matsatsantsa replied in kind with a 2-0 victory in their home match.
The teams have not played to a goalless draw in the league since the first half of the 2007/08 season.
Fixtures
Today: Golden Arrows v Mamelodi Sundowns (Chatsworth Stadium 15:00), Free State Stars v Chippa United (Goble Park 15:00), SuperSport United v Kaizer Chiefs (Peter Mokaba Stadium18:00), Ajax Cape Town v Polokwane City (Cape Town Stadium 20:15), Maritzburg Utd v Bloem Celtic (Harry Gwala Stadium 20:15).
Tomorrow: University of Pretoria v Bidvest Wits (Tuks Stadium 15:00), Jomo Cosmos v Platinum Stars (Olen Park 15:00). — Sport24
Online Reporter