Da Cruz: Mamelodi Sundowns Are Best Team in Africa Ahead of Kaizer Chiefs Clash
- Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz acknowledged Sundowns' status as African champions ahead of Saturday's Betway Premiership fixture
- Chiefs will face Sundowns at FNB Stadium having played three matches in six days, one fewer recovery day than most other PSL sides
- Da Cruz said the blockbuster clash will reveal exactly what his developing Chiefs side is truly capable of this season
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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz has publicly declared Mamelodi Sundowns the finest club side on the African continent, framing Saturday's Betway Premiership meeting between the two giants as a critical gauge of his team's progress.
The fixture is scheduled for 15:00 at FNB Stadium, widely expected to sell out, and arrives at a particularly demanding point in Chiefs' early-season calendar.
Chiefs carrying a heavy fixture load
Amakhosi have had to manage three matches within six days heading into the weekend, leaving them with one day less recovery time than other PSL sides facing comparable fixture congestion. The run included a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United earlier in the week, which followed an opening Betway Premiership victory over Kruger United.
Da Cruz was candid about the scheduling challenges but swift to ensure they were not framed as a mitigating factor.
"It's a bit disappointing; it's a bit early for a match like this in the season and we're the only team in the PSL to play three games in six days; the others play three in seven days," he said. "So, we have one less day of recovery, but it's not a problem, it's not an excuse; this game will be played, we know it's like that and we can't change anything."
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A measuring stick against African champions
Sundowns arrive at the Calabash as reigning CAF Champions League holders, having defeated Moroccan side AS FAR in the final in May. Notably, AS FAR is a former club of Da Cruz himself, adding a personal dimension to the occasion.
The French coach has chosen to view the contest as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. "Sundowns is the best team in Africa, because they won the Champions League last season," he said. "But we will try to raise our level, to Champions League level on Saturday; this game will give us very good information on what this team is capable of."
Sundowns have also made a strong early-season showing domestically, recording a 3-2 Betway Premiership victory over TS Galaxy on Tuesday following an MTN8 quarter-final win over Polokwane City.
For Chiefs, the match carries significance well beyond three league points, representing the clearest opportunity yet to measure themselves against the continental benchmark of African club football.
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Source: Briefly News
