Can Chippa put an early dent in Sundowns’ title defence?
Chippa United will look to put an early dent in Mamelodi Sundowns’ DStv Premiership title defence when they host the champions at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night in the pick of six matches played across the weekend.
Chippa have proven a resilient and determined team thus far in the 2023-24 season, holding Kaizer Chiefs, TS Galaxy and – just this midweek – Orlando Pirates to stalemates. Facing the country’s three biggest and most successful teams in their opening four league fixtures has not daunted the Chilli Boys under the leadership of coach Morgan Mammila.
“Let them [Sundowns] come, we’re waiting for them,” said the Chippa coach. “The fixtures said we had to play three top teams in a matter of five games. They’re next, they are gonna get the same thing, no parking of the bus, pound for pound. I don’t care who you are, we’re equal here.”
Sundowns, though, looked in imperious form in midweek when they crushed Golden Arrows 4-0 to rack up a third straight win and continue their perfect start to the campaign.
The Brazilians blitzed into a four-goal lead by early in the second half (thanks to goals from Peter Shalulile, Lesiba Nku [two] and Grant Kekana) and then eased off the throttle for the remainder of the game. Their only worry was Shalulile limping off with injury, but coach Rulani Mokwena’s squad easily has the depth to cope with absentees even this early in the season.
“We’ll wait for medical feedback [on Shalulile] but good to see Junior [Mendieta] on the pitch, Terrence [Mashego] on the pitch, good to see AB [Abdelmounaim Boutouil] on the pitch, [Bongani] Zungu on the pitch also getting 45 minutes under his belt... they’ll get better,” said the Sundowns boss.
The round opens on Friday with
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