Kaizer Chiefs will look at sneaking into the top eight of the Betway Premiership standings this afternoon when they play their final match of the 2024/25 season, in a must-win encounter against Polokwane City at FNB Stadium.

Finishing in the top eight bracket will be crucial for the Glamour Boys after not being able to make the cut at the end of last season, and thus missing out on the opportunity to participate in the league’s first cup competition of the season, the MTN8.

The two teams are separated by two points on the log. Chiefs are in position nine with 31 points and Polokwane are seventh with 33 points. Both teams have played 27 matches.

On the field this afternoon, Amakhosi will be without winger, Pule Mmodi, who received a red card last weekend, and defender, Zitha Kwinika, who is out with a hamstring injury. They will be replaced in the line-up by Mduduzi Shabalala and Inacio Miguel respectively.

There are three tactical changes made by coach Nasreddine Nabi, with Bradley Cross coming back from his two match suspension to replace Aden McCarthy; Sibongiseni Mthethwa in for Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Gaston Sirino being replaced by Tashreeq Morris

The team will go for a 3-5-2 formation for this afternoon’s clash.

Between the sticks, Chiefs will have Brandon Petersen.

The back three will be Cross, Edmilson Dove and Miguel.

In the middle of the park will be Yusuf Maart and Sibongiseni Mthethwa, who will have Shabalala in front of them. Glody Lilepo will be on the left wing and Dillan Solomons on the right.

The strikers will be Morris and Wandile Duba.

The match officials referee is Moreki Lekwape, who will be assisted by Simukele Jali and Thembinkosi Mangai. The fourth official is Bongani Matete.

Amakhosi’s final Betway Premiership match of the 2024/25 season against Rise & Shine will kick off at 15:00 at FNB Stadium. The match will be live on SuperSport’s channel 208 and SABC, with live commentary on various SABC radio stations. There will be live updates on the Club’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account, @kaizerchiefs.

Chiefs XI: Petersen (1), Cross (48), Miguel (84), Dove (2), Solomons (18), Mthethwa (5), Maart © (8), Shabalala (42), Lilepo (99), ), Duba (36), Morris (40,

Subs: Ntwari (30), McCarthy (35), Zwane (37), Ngcobo (12), Castillo (17), Vilakazi (28), Sirino (10), Du Preez (9), Chivaviro (7)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi

Polokwane XI: Okoth (50), Manthosi (42), Ndlovu (33), Nikani © (4), Nkaki (34), Maphungule (14), Kambala (21), Dlamini (17), Raphadu (15), Letshedi (8), Ramabu (7)

Subs: Mathebula (40), Motsa (31), Gwangqa (43), Ngwenya (46), Batlhabane (47), Ramushu (45), Goovadia (16), Makhubela (22), Ntamane (23)

Coach: Phuti Mohafe