Ntseki's ability, team selection and Shalulile factor: Five key questions Kaizer Chiefs must answer against Mamelodi Sundowns

Pressure is mounting on Ntseki as Amakhosi are winless since losing 1-0 to the Young Africans of Tanzania in what was their first high-profile friendly match.

Another 1-0 defeat to Township Rollers in Botswana followed before the Soweto giants started the new season with a disappointing draw against Chippa.

It will be interesting to see whether Ntseki adopts an attacking approach and goes all out for a win against a dangerous Masandawana side.

With his side having failed to score against Rollers and Young Africans, Ntseki deployed Mduduzi Shabalala, Christian Saile and Ranga Chivaviro as the front three against Chippa.

However, the trio couldn't find the back of the net and the team's top scorer across all competitions last term, Ashley du Preez also struggled to make an impact after being introduced on the hour-mark.

Forgotten striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was Chiefs' top scorer in the PSL last season with seven goals. Should Ntseki consider handing Du Preez a starting berth or recall Bimenyimana to the matchday squad?

The last time Chiefs played Sundowns in Pretoria, they were humiliated - succumbing to a 4-0 defeat to a ruthless Masandawana side in August last year.

The defeat set the tone for a dismal campaign for Amakhosi who went on to endure their worst-ever season in the PSL era and the disastrous term cost Arthur Zwane his job as he has since been demoted to assistant coach.

Ntseki could consider adopting a defensive approach and look to contain Sundowns until the game ends which would earn Amakhosi a valuable point away to the best team in the country.

There are those who are doubting the 53-year-old's coaching credentials as this is his first job in the PSL as a head coach.

The last Chiefs coach to mastermind a win over Sundowns was Gavin Hunt - one of the most decorated coaches in local football. The four-time PSL title-winning coach lead Amakhosi to a 2-1 win over Masandawana in Pretoria in April 2021.

Ntseki should view this latest blockbuster clash as an opportunity to prove his coaching credentials and silence his doubters.

Given Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe were among the Amakhosi players who caught the eye in pre-season as they produced eye-catching displays in central defence.

The duo unsurprisingly started against Chippa and they were able to contain the likes of Menzi Ndwandwe, Augustine Mulenga and Ronaldo Maarman as Amakhosi kept a well-deserved clean sheet.

Against Sundowns, the duo will be up against one of the best strikers in African football, Peter Shalulile who has a knack for scoring against Chiefs.

Can Msimango and Ditlhokwe tame the lethal marksman who has already opened his scoring account for this season when he netted against Sekhukhune United last week?

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