The stakes will be high when Kaizer Chiefs host Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium on Thursday night.
Despite Sundowns being a dominant force in the local league in the last decade, it goes without saying that the fixture against the Soweto Giants still holds a significant amount of weight.
Amakhosi will be desperate to walk away with maximum points to increase their chances of finishing inside the top eight, while the Brazilians will be hoping to wrap up the league race with seven games to spare.
Seventh straight league triumph
Sundowns are on the verge of completing their seventh straight league triumph and could possibly clinch it before they even kick the ball against the Chiefs should second-placed Stellenbosch FC lose against Golden Arrows on Wednesday night.
Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson and defender Given Msimango have since weighed in on whether they will give Sundowns a guard of honour or not.
“There are always those permutations in the back of people’s minds, but I can tell you that I did not think of that permutation,” Johnson said during a media open day at the Chiefs Village on Tuesday.
“If there is that type of permutation in the air, then we will see what we do by the time we get to the game.
“My focus is entirely on my team and who I play next. How it affects them [the players] does not really bother me at this stage because we need to end the league on a good run.”
Guard of honour
Msimango, who was surprised to learn that Sundowns could wrap up the league by the time they lock horns, said that as a sign of respect, they will give the Brazilians a guard of honour if need be.
“We are professionals. I think while the team [Kaizer Chiefs] was at its highest point and winning things, a lot of teams honoured them with a guard of honour as a sign of respect,” Msimango said.
“Winning the league is one of the highest achievements in South African football.
“Of course, if it does happen … and they are champions before we play them, I think the team will respect them enough to give them what is due to them and still make the game a very competitive one.”
The match between Amakhosi and the Brazilians will kick off at 7.30pm.
