Sparks are expected to fly when Chiefs welcome the current league log leaders, Tshwane-based Mamelodi Sundowns. This humdinger marks the return to action for the two teams after the PSL’s festive break. Chiefs confirmed that their loss to Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout final was water under the bridge when they beat Bidvest Wits in their last Absa Premiership played on December 19, 2015.

“It is good to be back in the New Year,” enthuses Marketing Director Jessica Motaung. “It makes it more interesting when you start with arguably one of the biggest games in the league. Despite the added spice arising from the Telkom Knockout final result, this fixture is always anticipated in the PSL calendar.”

The match is billed for Saturday, January 9; two days after Chiefs turned 46. “We have reached another milestone in the history of the Club,” expresses Motaung. “The Club is turning 46 today (January 7), thanks to everyone past and present for their part in the growth and development of Kaizer Chiefs brand, as we continue to be Driven to Excel.”

Kick-off on Saturday is at 20:15. Tickets are sold at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide. Cost of stand tickets is R40 and parking at a designated area is R30.

“We are working hard to prepare for the final stretch of the league programme,” confirms coach Steve Komphela. “We have moved on from the disappointment of losing in the cup final. We have good news coming from the camp, having an injury free squad, which must serve as a boost ahead of what is going to be a tight schedule this time around.”

Itumeleng Khune, Erick Mathoho and Bernard Parker are back in full training. Khune and Mathoho missed the Telkom Knockout final and the league game against Sundowns and Wits respectively, while Parker was stretchered off in the Wits game. Daniel Cardoso and David Zulu have also recovered after missing the better part of the first half of the season.

“We are geared to resume with the programme,” concludes Komphela. “There are three competitions to challenge and we plan to do well in all three of them.” The Chiefs coach refers to the Absa Premiership of which Chiefs are reigning champions, the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Champions League.

“The first part of the season has seen our supporters filling the stands,” concludes Marketing Director Motaung. “We are looking forward to bigger crowds going into the final stretch of the season starting this Saturday against Sundowns.”