As the South African football scene heats up, the spotlight is firmly on the upcoming clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup. Scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a place in the final.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has been vocal in his admiration for rival clubs, particularly praising Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Stellenbosch FC for their recent successes in CAF competitions. Both Pirates and Sundowns have advanced to the semi-finals of the prestigious CAF Champions League, while Stellenbosch FC has made it to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Nabi expressed his congratulations, stating, "I want to say congratulations to Sundowns, Pirates, and Stellenbosch. In the semi-final of the Champions League, we have two teams from South Africa. This will improve the level of football in South Africa. I think the level will also improve in the next season because the competition among teams is stronger than before."
Despite the rivalry, Nabi's respect for his fellow coaches was evident as he acknowledged their hard work and dedication, saying, "I want to say thank you to my colleagues, (Jose) Riveiro, (Miguel) Cardoso, and Steve (Barker). They deserve to be in this situation, but I feel a little sad because Sundowns beat my Tunisian team Esperance, but honestly, they deserve to be in the semi-final. We have to continue like that for the benefit of South African football."
However, former Kaizer Chiefs striker David Radebe is less optimistic about Chiefs' chances against Sundowns, citing a pattern of unfavorable officiating in recent matches. Radebe believes that match officials have been favoring Sundowns, stating, "Chiefs can easily match Sundowns pound for pound; they not winning convincingly against Chiefs, they benefit from the referees' mistakes." He predicts that the match will end in a draw, likely to be decided by penalty shootouts or extra time. "Sunday's game will finish in a draw, it will be decided on penalty shoot-outs or in extra-time," Radebe told KickOff.
As the teams prepare for their showdown, the historical context of their rivalry adds another layer of intrigue. Sundowns have dominated their recent encounters, remaining unbeaten against the Chiefs in their last 12 matches across all competitions. This streak includes eight losses and a penalty defeat in the MTN8. The last time Chiefs emerged victorious over Sundowns was in April 2021, when they secured a 2-1 win in the Betway Premiership.
In their most recent meeting, Sundowns edged out Chiefs with a narrow 1-0 victory. Nabi reflected on the previous encounters, noting, "I think we've played four times against them, not three, but when we played them in the Carling Knockout, it was a fitness problem. We did not get enough time for recovery – we came back from Polokwane two days before that game, and if you analyse the two league games, we lost 2-1 in the first game at FNB Stadium and then in Pretoria we lost 1-0, but the level between the two teams was close."
He continued, "In the game in Pretoria, I think we got three opportunities and they got two – they were lucky to score one of them, but we were unlucky we didn't score. Now it's game number four against them, and each team has an equal chance to win this game; we know their weak and strong points, and they also know it about us, so let's see after this game, we can discuss the difference in level."
One player who has consistently posed a threat to the Chiefs is Lucas Ribeiro Costa. The Brazilian forward has been instrumental in Sundowns' recent successes against Chiefs, scoring and assisting crucial goals. Costa first made his mark in August 2023 with a goal in a 2-1 victory over Chiefs. He continued his impressive form, assisting in another 2-1 win during the MTN semi-final and contributing to a 5-1 thrashing in the reverse league fixture last season. In the current season, Costa scored one goal and assisted another in a recent 2-1 victory, further solidifying his reputation as a key player against the Glamour Boys.
As the anticipation builds for the Nedbank Cup semi-final, both teams are aware of the stakes involved. For Kaizer Chiefs, a victory would not only provide a chance for silverware but also a much-needed boost in morale after a challenging season in the league, where they currently sit eighth in the Betway Premiership. In contrast, Sundowns are riding high, having secured their place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals and looking to maintain their dominance in domestic competitions.
Kick-off at Loftus Versfeld Stadium is set for 18:00, and fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a captivating encounter. With the stakes high and both teams boasting talented rosters, the atmosphere is sure to be electric. As Nabi noted, the level of competition is intensifying, and the outcome of this match could have significant implications for both clubs moving forward.
In conclusion, as Kaizer Chiefs prepare to face Mamelodi Sundowns, the narrative is rich with history, rivalry, and the promise of an exciting match. With the potential for an upset on the cards, all eyes will be on Loftus Versfeld as the two giants of South African football clash once again.
