Mamelodi Sundowns will be out to return to winning ways when they host Cape Town City in their sixth PSL game of the season at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
Sundowns fell to a shock 1-0 defeat away to Polokwane City on Sunday in what was perhaps their poorest performance this season.
The Brazilians struggled to get going, failed to create chances and only had one shot on target. They paid a heavy price as Polokwane got a deserved win.
Defeat left Sundowns second on the table on 12 points, three behind leaders Orlando Pirates, and they could be six adrift by the time they host Cape Town on Wednesday evening, adding pressure on coach Manqoba Mngqithi and his charges to ensure they collect maximum points.
Head-to-head
Cape Town City have been a tough opponent for Sundowns to break down and the Brazilians have only one win in six games against the Citizens.
Sundowns will still have memories of last season when Cape Town City handed them a 1-0 defeat in May which ended their hopes of going the entire season unbeaten.
That defeat was preceded by back-to-back goalless draws between the two sides with Sundowns’ last beating Eric Tinkler’s side in August 2022, when they recorded a 2-0 victory.
That win had also come after two goalless draws in their previous meetings, meaning in six matches, Sundowns have only won once and scored two goals.
Form guide
Sundowns had won seven straight games in all competitions before their loss in Polokwane, leaving them joint top of the PSL, in the CAF Champions League group stages and Carling Knockout quarter-final.
However, they now trail Pirates in the PSL and can ill afford to drop points on Wednesday, especially if the Buccaneers get a win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday.
Cape Town City, meanwhile, have not been consistent, winning two, drawing as many and losing one of their five matches.
However, what will give them confidence, and perhaps worry Sundowns, is that they are unbeaten in their last three games where they recorded back-to-back wins before last weekend’s goalless draw at home to Magesi FC.
Team news
Sundowns will be without long-term absentee Themba Zwane although it is still not known if Tashreeq Matthews, who was stretchered off against Polokwane, will be fit to play.
Dennis Onyango started in goal in the absence of Ronwen Williams, who had flown to Paris for Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, but the Bafana Bafana captain could reclaim his spot and so is midfielder Lucas Ribeiro, who served his one-match suspension at the weekend.
Cape Town, meanwhile, will be without midfielder Tshegofatso Nyama due to suspension although Aprocius Petrus is set to return.
What has been said?
Sundowns assistant coach Steve Komphela has admitted they were far from their best against Rise and Shine but wants the players to put all that behind and focus on getting three points on Wednesday.
“That we lost (in Polokwane) on its own was a huge setback and we are looking forward. It’s very important that we dust ourselves off and look forward to the Wednesday match. Let it come and we have to redeem ourselves,” said Komphela.
Time and where to watch?
The match will kick off at 19.30 at Loftus Versfeld and will be live on SuperSport TV (SS 202).
Predicted line-up
Williams, Kekana, Lebusa, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, De Reuck, Ribeiro, Kodisang, Mabena, Rayners