Former Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma predicts a fierce “war situation” when his old clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, clash in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Sundowns and Chiefs are set to meet for the fourth time this season at Loftus Versfeld Stadium with kickoff at 18:00.
Mbesuma, affectionately known as ‘Ntofontofo’ during his playing days, described the match as a significant showdown between two fierce rivals, comparing it to a war.
In an interview with KaizerChiefs.com, Mbesuma stressed the intensity of the fixture, stating, “Every time these sides meet it’s always heated.”
Despite the inconsistency of the Chiefs this season and Sundowns’ strong performance in their last three matchups, Mbesuma believes this game could yield a surprising result. The Brazilains beat Chiefs three times this season, twice in the league and Carling Knockout Cup.
“Sundowns have been in great form, but in a cup game, anything can happen,” added Mbesuma, who added that a victory could be pivotal for Chiefs to turn their season around. He stressed the need for the players to adopt a cup mentality, encouraging them to enter the match with determination and an eagerness to win.
Mbesuma, who famously scored a hat-trick against Sundowns in the 2004/05 season at Loftus Versfeld is optimistic about this game being a chance for Chiefs players to demonstrate their skills and show they can rise to the occasion as the club looks to end their nine-year trophy drought.
“I believe they have the talent to go out there and prove themselves. It’s their opportunity to shine,” he expressed.
The ex-lethal hitman also challenged the current Amakhosi squad to prove their worth.
Reflecting on his own experiences against the Tshwane team, Mbesuma recalled the confidence and mindset he and his teammates had when challenging their rivals.
“Facing Sundowns was always thrilling for us because we aimed to make a statement. The current team needs to embrace that same spirit—give their all and leave everything on the pitch,” he concluded.