Posted in Features, News on Nov 01, 2024.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will renew a storied rivalry in cup games when they meet for the 31st time since their first meeting in the 1986 Knockout Cup first round.
When the teams meet for the second time in just over a month at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the knockout cup quarterfinal In the PSL era (since 1996/)97) it will be the 19th cup meeting between the teams,
Over their previous 30 cup games, Amakhosi hold the edge with 18 wins including games won on penalties, while Sundowns have won nine games including games won on penalties. The remaining three games have been outright draws. Since 1996/97, the teams have met 18 times, with Chiefs winning 10 games. Four of those victories were in open play and the other six were won on penalties. Sundowns have six victories, four games from open play and two on penalties.
Over their 30 previous cup meetings there have been eight games decided on penalties. Of these, Chiefs hold sway, winning six games including five finals that went to shoot-outs. These include Knockout Cup Finals in 1997/98, 1998/99 and 2007/08, as well as the BP Top8 final in 2001/02 and the 2008/09 MTN8 final. Chiefs also overcame Sundowns in the 2005/06 Absa Cup semifinals on penalties after the game ended 0-0.
In the knockout cup through the years, this will be the ninth clash between the teams, with Chiefs holding the advantage of six wins to Sundowns’ single victory. There has been one outright draw. Their first meeting was in the first round back in 1986 won by Chiefs, courtesy of a Mark Anderson own goal.
Amakhosi went undefeated through their first seven games in the knockout cup against Sundowns, also defeating them 1-0 in the 1995 quarterfinals, through of a Jerry Mthethwa strike. Chiefs also defeated them in the 1997/98 final the replay on penalties in a replay. Chiefs made a successful defence of their trophy in 1998/99, again overcoming Sundowns on penalties in the final after the game ended 2-2. A young Itumeleng Khune was the hero in the penalty shoot-out when Chiefs defeated Sundowns on penalties in the 2007/08 final, where the game ended 0-0.
En-route to winning the title in 2009/10, Amakhosi defeated Sundowns at the quarterfinal stage, with a lone goal from Mandla Masango. The teams’ last meeting in this competition ended in a 3-1 win for Sundowns in the 2015/16 final. Overall, three games in the knockout cup between the teams have been decided on penalties, Chiefs winning all three in the 1997/98, 1998/99 and 2007/08 finals.
In the knockout cup, this is the teams’ third clash at the quarterfinal stage they also met in the last eight in 1995 and 2009/10, with Chiefs winning both games 1-0.
