Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Matthews’ recovery routine, how Arrows can stun Downs & more

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, as Golden Arrows are told how to stop the Brazilians and Tashreeq Matthews lifts the lid on what keeps him fresh during a demanding fixture pile-up.

How Arrows can hold Sundowns at bay

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Lehlohonolo Majoro has offered his assessment of how Golden Arrows can frustrate Mamelodi Sundowns when the two sides meet in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Sunday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.

Abafana Bes’thende carry a 1-0 advantage into the return fixture after a stunning first-leg victory at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville last weekend, and Majoro believes time is the most powerful weapon in Arrows’ arsenal.

Speaking to FARPost, Majoro argued that the longer Arrows can keep Sundowns scoreless, the more desperate and disorganised the Chloorkop side could become — a dynamic that could then open space for Arrows to strike on the counter.

“I know Arrows are good at counter-attacking football. So, if Sundowns struggle and become desperate, Arrows might get that breakthrough and extend their lead,” he said.

However, Majoro was careful to flag the threat Sundowns pose, pointing to their emphatic 5-2 Betway Premiership victory over AmaZulu FC in midweek as a signal that Miguel Cardoso’s side are in a determined and dangerous mood heading into the tie.

Matthews on secrets behind his recovery routine

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews has credited a disciplined post-match recovery routine as the key to maintaining his sharpness during an intense run of fixtures, ahead of Sunday’s MTN8 second-leg clash against Golden Arrows.

The 25-year-old was one of the brightest performers in Sundowns’ 5-2 dismantling of AmaZulu FC during the week, and he is keen to carry that form into the crunch semi-final, where his side must overturn a one-goal deficit.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Matthews explained that with back-to-back games leaving little room to train properly, recovery has become as important as preparation, with the winger committing to dedicated sessions of approximately 45 minutes after each match. He also revealed that attending mosque forms an important part of his personal reset between games.

“I’m off to the mosque. I finished training early; I also just had recovery, so I’m off to the mosque. I mean, we have to take it seriously because we play back-to-back games, and you don’t get time to rest. You don’t even get time to train properly, and your body only feels the pain the day after the game, so you have to take it seriously. I would say we take at least 45 minutes doing recovery,” said Matthews.