by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
The highly anticipated faceoff between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns lived up to its expectations, delivering a stella performance, much to the delight of thousands of football fans watching in person and on screen. Packed to its rafters, the FNB Stadium played host to one of the biggest fixtures in the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season thus far, a fixture that saw “sold out” signs flash hours before kick-off on Saturday.
Building up to the match, the home team fans played mind-games and seemed to have won the online banter against the Brazilians, it was however the visitors who went home with 3 points, and of course bragging rights, following a 2-1 triumph.
Chiefs, who have now played three matches, have sold out on all their matches, enjoying a full house of cheers, first at the Free State Stadium against Marumo Gallants in their opening match, then selling out the Moses Mabhida Stadium for their second away fixture against AmaZulu last week.
The traffic congestion outside the stadium forced officials to delay kick-off with 30 minutes, with the match starting at 15:30pm and not 15:00pm as initially scheduled, but this did not dampen the enthusiastic and jolly mood inside the stadium.
Amakhosi fans were sent into a thunderous frenzy when Amakhosi drew first blood through a goal from Ranga Chivaviro.
Chivaviro fired Chiefs into a 9th minute lead at first half, the visitors however equalised through Lucas Ribeiro in the 31st minute. Iqraam Rayners netted a second goal for the Brazilians six minutes later, which gave them a 2-goal lead at half time.
The second stanza of the match saw a revived Amakhosi who pushed for an equaliser with the hopes of sharing spoils, an equaliser from Inacio Miguel in stoppage time was however ruled as offside, ending Amakhosi’s unbeaten streak.
The match however ended on a sour note due to what many labelled “poor referring”, accusing referee Sikhumbuzo Gaza and his linesmen Khamusi Razwimisani and Kamohelo Ramutsindela of poor officiating. The officials were escorted into the tunnel as objects were thrown at them after the match.
Line-ups:
Kaizer Chiefs: Ntwari (30), Frosler (39), Miguel (84), Dortley (14), Cross (48), Castillo (17), Maart ©(8) (Mmodi (13) 74’), Shabalala (42) (Vilakazi (28) 64’), Sirino (10) (Blom (6) 74’) , Chivaviro (7) (Basomboli Saile (21) 78’), Duba (36) (Du Preez (9) 64’)
Subs not used: Bvuma (44), Msimango (25), Mashiane (19), Zwane (37)
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams (30); Lebusa (5), Kekana (20), Coetzee (40), Morena (27) (Mkhulise (21) 74’), Tiwane (31) (Mudau (25) 74’), Zwane © (18) (Modiba (6) 60’), Allende (11), Ribeiro Costa (10) (Shalulile (38) 60’), Matthews (17), Rayners (13) (
Subs not used: D. Onyango (1); Maboe (39), Kodisang (19), Maseko (33)
Coach: Manqoba Mngqithi