Tactics: Chiefs’ number 10, Maart influence, Du Preez position

In any two-legged affair, the first leg will have a bearing on how the second leg is played tactically. That is not just based on the score from the first meeting but also the away goal rule, forewarning over opposition strengths and getting an indication

Ntseki has big calls in the front four

This season has seen a much more settled Kaizer Chiefs side in terms of team selection. The back four has not changed a lot, especially at centre-back and at left back. The midfield two have played every match, whilst Pule Mmodi and Ashley Du Preez have been certain picks in attack. For Molefi Ntseki, there are a couple of big calls he will have to make. Firstly, Mduduzi Mdantsane played the first leg as the number 10, but he had little positive effect. George Matlou is back in favour and he started against Royal AM last weekend. Mduduzi Shabalala also featured in that match, albeit in a narrow left-sided role. We even saw Nkosingiphile Ngcobo get a rare outing. The identity of the third midfielder will have a major bearing on how the Soweto giants play. It feels like a problem position with none of the options really taking their chance when starting, and Keagan Dolly not quite ready to return just yet. If the side had a third central midfielder who was match-fit and who complemented Edson Castillo and Yusuf Maart, it may be a good game to stiffen up the engine room instead of having a luxury number 10. Down the right, there was no sign of Tebogo Potsane against Thwihli Thwahla, so it’s a choice between Christian Saile (who was strangely unused in the first leg), using Shabalala wide or playing Du Preez in that role with a focal point number nine in either Jasond Gonzalez or Ranga Chivaviro selected. Du Preez is much more effective as a number nine, but that doesn’t mean Ntseki will necessarily play him there.

Chiefs’ nemesis returns from injury

The first leg feels like a missed opportunity for Amakhosi as they not only conceded a 93rd minute away goal, but they also had the rare chance to play Mamelodi Sundowns without talisman Peter Shalulile. The Namibian used the FIFA break to overcome an injury and he was used for 24 minutes in Tanzania against Bumamuru last Friday. He took just 13 minutes to get back on the scoresheet. The Naturena-based outfit tend to struggle against the striker’s movement and relentless work-rate and he has scored seven times against them as well as consistently assisted goals against Amakhosi. The only time Sundowns have lost to the visitors in the last eight clashes was when they were without Shalulile. Aside from this, his return allows Lucas Ribeiro Costa to return to the right flank. He has been alternating between a false nine and in a narrower right-sided role to cover for Shalulile’s loss and has done a sterling job. The international break afforded players like Mosa Lebusa, Khuliso Mudau, Rivaldo Coetzee, Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena time to fully shake off injuries, recover some freshness and also have training time to work on new ideas. A well-rested Sundowns is an ominous proposition.

Midweek will have a huge effect!

The fact that both sides had big matches in midweek is a major factor. The Tshwane giants faced Orlando Prates on Wednesday having flown back from Tanzania, whilst Chiefs travelled to Polokwane to square up against SuperSport United. Both games were played after this edition of Soccer Laduma went to print, and they could lead to injuries, fatigue or suspensions in the case of players like Sifiso Hlanti. Some players may have been rested for either side, but considering the Glamour Boys are one game away from a rare cup final, they may be wise to prioritise the cup fixture. Sundowns tend to beat Bucs – winning seven of the last nine meetings – but are unlikely to have made many changes to their XI. That match may have given Shalulile a chance to play another 20-30 minutes for match fitness, but it mustn’t be forgotten that Rhulani Mokwena strives to win every single fixture, so the best XI may have been put out. Masandawana have more tactical variety, being able to play either their usual 3-2-4-1 shape in possession or even go to a traditional back four with rampaging fullbacks as we saw in the final 20-odd minutes in the first leg. They can easily play different formations and strategies within matches, so Chiefs won’t have an easy time predicting their approach from their analysis. Meanwhile, Ntseki almost always plays 4-2-3-1 and Downs are not really going to be surprised very much. Although Mokwena did admit after the league meeting with Amakhosi, “They caught us a little bit unawares by going with a three-man midfield with Sithebe.” One of the players who has to pull finger in this match is Maart. He has had two quiet games against the Chloorkopbased side and we need to see the all-action player from Saturday – Maart had the most ball recoveries in the Royal AM fixture (12), the most passes into the final third (13), he hit the second-most accurate long balls of the outfield players (eight) and he created three chances.