Sekhukhune out to spoil Chiefs' party

Sekhukhune United will be looking to boost their Betway Premiership top-three bid when they host Kaizer Chiefs at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

Babina Noko are enjoying a five-match unbeaten run, having drawn 1-1 with Magesi FC away in the Limpopo Derby encounter on 3 May, and they have won three of their last five games.

Sekhukhune are placed third in the Betway Premiership standings - a point above fourth-placed Stellenbosch FC, with two matches left as the two teams go head-to-head for the CAF Confederation Cup spot (third-place).

Meanwhile, Chiefs snapped their three-match winless run across all competitions when they claimed a 2-1 win over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on 10 May. They had lost two games in a row before the Soweto Derby clash.

Amakhosi are placed ninth in the Betway Premiership standings - level on points with eighth-placed Chippa United and three points behind seventh-placed Polokwane City, as the battle for the top eight spots continues.

TEAM NEWS

Sekhukhune United will be boosted by the return of Sikhosonke Langa from suspension, but Babina Noko will be without the services of their leading marksman, Chibuike Ohizu, who is suspended.

Chiefs, on the other hand, will welcome back Bradley Cross from suspension, but the Glamour Boys will be without the services of their leader in defence, Inacio Miguel, who is suspended.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler:

“I joined for that reason [to qualify for a CAF tournament], to be honest. That was the target and reason I signed up for Sekhukhune,” Tinkler said.

"It was all about us trying to make sure that we finish in the top three or top four. I told you that my target and ambition as a coach is to be playing at that level.

"So, to see Sekhukhune get there, that would be a massive achievement.”

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi:

“We believe the season is not done yet, we can't say we have redeemed ourselves," Nabi said.

"We have to fight with the same effort in our last games against difficult opponents, Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United, to finish in the top eight because that's our objective for the club now.

“We need to concentrate on and get the work done.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Keletso Makgalwa, Sekhukhune United: The newly crowned Betway Premiership Player of the Month for April will carry Babina Noko's hopes of securing a win over Amakhosi, having provided the most assists (11) in the league.

Gaston Sirino, Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi will pin their hopes of overcoming Babina Noko on the former Mamelodi Sundowns star, who has more goal contributions (four goals and six assists) than any other Amakhosi player this season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 Chiefs 2-0 Sekhukhune Nk. Ngcobo, Nange

2021/22 Sekhukhune 0-1 Chiefs Mphahlele

2022/23 Chiefs 0-1 Sekhukhune Mncube

2022/23 Sekhukhune 1-0 Chiefs Seabi

2023/24 Chiefs 2-1 Sekhukhune Castillo, Dove; Mokwana

2023/24 Sekhukhune 1-1 Chiefs Mokwana; Chivaviro

2024/25 Chiefs 1-0 Sekhukhune Vilakazi

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Sekhukhune 3 1 1 1 2 2

Chiefs 4 3 0 1 5 2

Away

P W D L GF GA

Sekhukhune 4 1 0 3 2 5

Chiefs 3 1 1 1 2 2

Total

P W D L GF GA

Sekhukhune 7 2 1 4 4 7

Chiefs 7 4 1 2 7 4