Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise has highlighted what makes Kaizer Chiefs tricky customers as the two giants prepare to cross swords in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Early into the 2026/27 league campaign, the traditional heavyweights clash in a bid to become pace setters in a season that so far promises to be highly competitive. Chiefs have won their opening two league games, first beating Kruger United 3-1, before dismissing Sekhukhune United 2-0, in what has been an encouraging start to the season.
Masandawana have played just one game and collected maximum points, following a 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy in Mbombela. It is a season in which Amakhosi are bidding to clinch the league title for the first time since the 2014/15 term.
For the Brazilians, they are out to reclaim the Betway Premiership crown after Orlando Pirates ended their eight-season relentless dominance last season.
SPHELELE MKHULISE’S BIG PROMISE TO MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FANS
While Chiefs enjoy a 100 percent record in the league, their season has been dented by elimination from the MTN8 at the hands of Golden Arrows, who edged them 1-0 last weekend. Sundowns’ league victory was a follow-up to the 3-2 win over Polokwane City FC to reach the MTN8 semi-finals.
But Mkhulise is not reading into Chiefs’ MTN8 exit as he focuses on their league run and highlights what makes the Soweto giants tough opponents.
“Obviously, we are playing a big game, and we are ready as Mamelodi Sundowns to do our best, and our supporters must expect us to give our all on the field of play. I promise them that we won’t disappoint them as players,” said Mkhulise.
“We need them as the 12th man to give us support and to cheer behind us. It’s going to be a very difficult game because they [Chiefs] are doing well at the moment in the league.
“They have won their last two games in the league, and they are number one, I think. So, it will be a very difficult game,” concluded the midfielder who grabbed a brace against TS Galaxy on Tuesday to hand himself a confidence boost going into the Chiefs game.
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