Mamelodi Sundowns will now host Kaizer Chiefs at the Lucas Moripe Stadium after the match was moved from Loftus Versfeld due to a clash with a rugby fixture.
Sundowns are set to host Chiefs in a PSL match on Saturday March 1, looking to extend their dominance over Amakhosi, but will not play at their usual home, having been forced to move to the nearby Lucas Moripe Stadium Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
This is because the Blue Bulls, a powerhouse in South African rugby, will host Stormers in a United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld on the same afternoon.
Venue change both good & bad for Sundowns
With this being Bulls’ home ground, the rugby match was given priority, forcing Sundowns to seek refuge at the 28,900-seater Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The change of venue is both a good and bad thing for Sundowns as it means the Brazilians will have to contend with lower gate collections given Loftus Versfeld has a capacity of 51,762 and the match is expected to be sold out.
Meanwhile, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso will be delighted that his team will play on a crisp surface after heavily criticising the Loftus Versfeld pitch during their 4-1 win over Orlando Pirates early this month when both teams struggled to move the ball after the surface had hosted a rugby fixture before the match.
Can Chiefs end horrible run over Masandawana?
Sundowns have already enjoyed good tidings at Lucas Moripe Stadium this month with their 3-0 win over SuperSport United in the Tshwane derby and Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of TS Galaxy both played at the venue.
The Brazilians have bossed Chiefs in recent years and are unbeaten against the Glamour Boys in their last 11 meetings, winning nine and drawing two, with Amakhosi’s last victory over Sundowns coming in April 2021.
Both teams have already met twice this season, Sundowns winning both, starting with a 2-1 victory in the PSL in September, before thrashing the Soweto giants 4-0 in the Telkom Knockout in November, both matches played at the FNB Stadium.
