Yeye says Chiefs can shock league leaders this weekend

This weekend, all eyes turn to the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, for a blockbuster clash: league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns take on Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.

While Sundowns enter as firm favourites, the potential for a Chiefs upset is expected to make this game a thrilling encounter.

To get insight into the highly anticipated showdown, airing live on Showmax Premier League this Saturday, we’ve tapped into the expertise of some true legends.

Former Chiefs and SuperSport United maestro Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane, defensive stalwart David Kannemeyer, and the voice of South African sport, Showmax Premier League ambassador Robert Marawa gives us their insight into the game.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane believes his former club can get something out of this weekend’s clash with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, despite the odds being stacked against them.

Chiefs find themselves 26 points behind the league leaders, and head into the game on the back of a string of bad results.

However, Yeye, as he is affectionately known, believes his former club could spring a surprise come Saturday.

“It is a very difficult game for Chiefs to play,” Letsholonyane told Showmax this week. “Sundowns are on a high, having won their last two games. Chiefs haven’t had good results, but on Saturday that will have a little to do with that game. A team that creates and uses more of their chances will win the match.”

The game, which takes place on Saturday, 1 March 2025 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 15:30, will be shown live on Showmax Premier League.

Letsholonyane says Chiefs being the underdog heading into this weekend’s clash could work in their favour. “Chiefs can get something out of this game, especially since people are expecting them to lose this game. They just need to remain calm⁠ and do what the coach tells them to do, work extremely hard and just be in the moment.”

Letsholonyane, who also played for SuperSport United, says Chiefs’ inconsistency this season has been their biggest problem. “There is lot of inconsistency from Chiefs, and also with them having a whole new technical team hasn’t made it easy, so they will need more time to get to the level of consistency. But that doesn’t mean they can’t hurt Sundowns on the day.”

He says it’s important that chiefs players understand the coach better in order to turn things around. “It’s just a matter of the players understanding what the coach wants them to do, but that will take time. Once they do, it will then create consistency with the players he selects for games and then the results will start coming.”

Despite Sundowns finding themselves on top of the table, Yeye says Sundowns haven’t been at their best either. “The mere fact that they are on top of the log still, they are doing well. Probably not as good as people expected, but remember that there’s been a change in technical team there too. So they are doing okay.”

Asked what it was like to represent two of the biggest football clubs in the country, Letsholonyane says, “Representing Kaizer Chiefs was an honour and a privilege. I mean with that kind of history behind it, a team that is known all over the continent and a team that always and effortlessly fill every stadium that they play in, is something special. But all that definitely comes with a pressure on another level. But that why it is a big team and as a footballer, you live for those moments of constant pressure and overcoming them.”

Meanwhile, David Kannemeyer, who represented both Chiefs and Sundowns, says he is looking forward to the clash between his two former teams. “It will be a very good game. Sundowns is the team that is in form, and they are the best team at the moment in the country,” says Kannemeyer. “Chiefs, however, are still blowing hot and cold, trying to find their feet under the new coach. Personally, I don’t think Chiefs can get anything from the game this weekend as Sundowns are consistent, so I expect them to win.”

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