Posted in Features, News, Team News on Jan 23, 2018.
Matches between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are always interesting. One can ask Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse, who played in many of these games for both sides. “Encounters between Chiefs and Sundowns are usually nice to watch,” the former midfielder explains why so many soccer fans are looking forward to Saturday’s match between the two rivals.
Sundowns were initially named Marabastad Sundowns, as they originate from Marabastad, an area in the centre of Pretoria. The club was founded in the sixties and moved to Mamelodi in the early 1980s, becoming Mamelodi Sundowns. They gained promotion to the NPSL in 1982.
Khuse joined Masandawana, as is the club’s nickname, in 1986. However, after two seasons, the skillful midfielder moved to Kaizer Chiefs.
Then coach, the late Mario Tuani, had accused Khuse and two of his teammates of selling a game. “I couldn’t accept that,” he reflects, “I was furious and decided to leave.”
The Sundowns fans didn’t appreciate the midfielder’s move to Amakhosi in 1989 and if the two sides met, Khuse would usually be booed.
The rivalry between the two clubs has been tense for a long time. “That’s because Sundowns had that urge to become a big club, like Chiefs, and to be able to achieve that they needed to beat us,” Khuse explains, “while Chiefs never want to lose against anyone. That vibe of two teams wanting to be the best makes these games so interesting.”
Since the introduction of the NSL in 1985, Chiefs and Sundowns have faced each other 65 times for the league. Amakhosi have won 27 of these clashes. The Brazilians clinched victory in 20 matches, while 18 ended in a draw.
One of the best matches between the two sides Khuse participated in concerned the 1992 BP Top Eight Cup final, which took place at Soccer City, the predecessor of FNB Stadium. As usual, Khuse was booed by the Sundowns faithful.
“That put, of course, some additional pressure on me,” he reflects, “on the other hand, I knew what to expect and I was ready for it.”
The game was a tense affair with the Brazilians probably being the better side on the day, but it was Khuse who scored the winner in the 84th minute.
“Fani Madida whipped the ball into the box,” the former midfielder remembers with a smile on his face, “and I tapped the ball into the goal with a half-volley. I was so excited that I went on a long run behind the goal.
“It was such a competitive game. They pressed us a lot. However, in the end, we got a chance and we finished it.”
Khuse still feels that was one of the best games he ever played in when it comes to competitiveness and two teams really challenging each other to the ultimo.
Chiefs had a great side in the 1991 and 1992, winning numerous trophies, including two league titles.
“We had an incredibly strong side in those years,” comments Khuse, who left Chiefs in 1993 to play in Turkey, “the players were disciplined, there was unity, togetherness and that winning mentality – the spirit was so high.”
One of the reasons for the success in those years was, according to Khuse, the fact that the Chiefs squad had “a lot of leaders, who never accepted a player to be lazy, either in a game or on the training ground. We all pushed each other.
“Look at that Top Eight final against Sundowns. The win was purely a team effort. They had the upper hand for most of the match, but we fought and we had that ambition. We had that will to win.”
Khuse is presently working at Chiefs’ development structures. He points out that he’s eagerly looking forward to Saturday’s game between Amakhosi and the Brazilians at FNB Stadium (kick-off at 20:15).
“It’s one of those game I always look forward to,” he admits, “especially now that we really have a momentum going with the team having won four of their last five league matches.
“We have a lot of quality in the team, including several youngsters with the right attitude.
“Saturday’s match will be a big one. I can’t wait.”
Sundowns were initially named Marabastad Sundowns, as they originate from Marabastad, an area in the centre of Pretoria. The club was founded in the sixties and moved to Mamelodi in the early 1980s, becoming Mamelodi Sundowns. They gained promotion to the NPSL in 1982.
Khuse joined Masandawana, as is the club’s nickname, in 1986. However, after two seasons, the skillful midfielder moved to Kaizer Chiefs.
Then coach, the late Mario Tuani, had accused Khuse and two of his teammates of selling a game. “I couldn’t accept that,” he reflects, “I was furious and decided to leave.”
The Sundowns fans didn’t appreciate the midfielder’s move to Amakhosi in 1989 and if the two sides met, Khuse would usually be booed.
The rivalry between the two clubs has been tense for a long time. “That’s because Sundowns had that urge to become a big club, like Chiefs, and to be able to achieve that they needed to beat us,” Khuse explains, “while Chiefs never want to lose against anyone. That vibe of two teams wanting to be the best makes these games so interesting.”
Since the introduction of the NSL in 1985, Chiefs and Sundowns have faced each other 65 times for the league. Amakhosi have won 27 of these clashes. The Brazilians clinched victory in 20 matches, while 18 ended in a draw.
One of the best matches between the two sides Khuse participated in concerned the 1992 BP Top Eight Cup final, which took place at Soccer City, the predecessor of FNB Stadium. As usual, Khuse was booed by the Sundowns faithful.
“That put, of course, some additional pressure on me,” he reflects, “on the other hand, I knew what to expect and I was ready for it.”
The game was a tense affair with the Brazilians probably being the better side on the day, but it was Khuse who scored the winner in the 84th minute.
“Fani Madida whipped the ball into the box,” the former midfielder remembers with a smile on his face, “and I tapped the ball into the goal with a half-volley. I was so excited that I went on a long run behind the goal.
“It was such a competitive game. They pressed us a lot. However, in the end, we got a chance and we finished it.”
Khuse still feels that was one of the best games he ever played in when it comes to competitiveness and two teams really challenging each other to the ultimo.
Chiefs had a great side in the 1991 and 1992, winning numerous trophies, including two league titles.
“We had an incredibly strong side in those years,” comments Khuse, who left Chiefs in 1993 to play in Turkey, “the players were disciplined, there was unity, togetherness and that winning mentality – the spirit was so high.”
One of the reasons for the success in those years was, according to Khuse, the fact that the Chiefs squad had “a lot of leaders, who never accepted a player to be lazy, either in a game or on the training ground. We all pushed each other.
“Look at that Top Eight final against Sundowns. The win was purely a team effort. They had the upper hand for most of the match, but we fought and we had that ambition. We had that will to win.”
Khuse is presently working at Chiefs’ development structures. He points out that he’s eagerly looking forward to Saturday’s game between Amakhosi and the Brazilians at FNB Stadium (kick-off at 20:15).
“It’s one of those game I always look forward to,” he admits, “especially now that we really have a momentum going with the team having won four of their last five league matches.
“We have a lot of quality in the team, including several youngsters with the right attitude.
“Saturday’s match will be a big one. I can’t wait.”
