Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has commended the work Nasreddine Nabi has done at Kaizer Chiefs and also named three Amakhosi players who have impressed him so far.
Masandawana face Amakhosi in a highly-expected match at FNB Stadium at 15:00 on Saturday after both sides started the 2024/25 league campaign with two wins.
After Sundowns scored four goals in three of their last four matches, Mngqithi was asked whether fans can expect a similar scoreline on Saturday, but the Sundowns coach insisted they are in for a tough encounter, praising the early work of Nabi.
“I think we should go to this match with a lot of respect and humility. It’s still too early for anyone to start thinking we have found our grove,” he replied during the pre-match press conference.
“The way Chiefs has started, their transitions and the players they have upfront, Gaston [Sirino] is very important for them, [Ranga] Chivaviro is also very important for them and I must also say the young [Mduduzi] Shabalala has stamped his authority.
“When you go to this match without respecting the threat that the opponents also present, you will be naive or ignorant.
“We are going to this match knowing very well it will be an interesting match. We are playing against a very good team, and a team that is also well-supported. You have to have a bit of humility when you go into a match like this one.
“I must also commend the work coach Nabi has done with the team. In a very short space of time the team looks very dangerous.”
So far, 44.000 tickets have been sold with around 60.000 tickets being made available, according to Stadium Management SA.
