Ex-Pirates coach ready for ‘fatigued’ Sundowns: I have beaten them before…

Former Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler is optimistic his team Durban City can beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League outing this weekend.

Masandawana will be at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday against the Citizens, hoping to get maximum points as they continue recovering from their shock elimination from the CAF Champions League by Angolan outfit Wiliete.

𝘼 𝙍𝙀 𝙆𝙊𝙋𝘼𝙉𝙀𝙉𝙂 𝘿𝘼 👆

Masandawana, let's meet in Rustenburg this Saturday 💪

⚽ Mamelodi Sundowns vs Durban City
🏆 Betway Premiership
📆 31 October
⏰ 20H15
🏟 Royal Bafokeng Stadium
🎤 Performance by Maglera Doe Boy
🎟️ Secure your ticket today:… pic.twitter.com/mKs1y66ES4

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 29, 2026

On Tuesday, the Brazilians battled to a a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Round of 16.

Tinkler explains Sundowns’ shock CAF CL exit

The Citizens have made the CAF Confederation Cup’s group stage on their debut and Tinkler is not expecting an easy outing in Group C where they have been pooled with Morocco’s AS FAR, Azam FC from Tanzania as well as Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli.

“It’s going to be tough for all four groups, but that’s where you want to be, that’s where you want to compare yourself to others. Playing in these competitions, Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and going game-by-game with a winning mentality home and away,” he said as told by the Sowetan.

“I think for all of us, it was a surprise that Sundowns didn’t qualify. I expected them to qualify because of the quality that they have. But obviously, it takes a lot of other questions about what the reasons were and like I said, the modern game has changed. The number of competitions that exist and the number of games that players play, it is a lot.

“Somewhere along the lines there will be fatigue and I think it has creeped in at Sundowns because they have been successful for many years,” he explained Masandawana’s exit.

Durban ready to frustrate Sundowns

Tinkler concedes playing Masandawana won’t be an easy fixture, but he insists it is possible to collect three points.

“We’ve to go there and collect points. That’s always been my mentality and I don’t go to play against teams sitting and playing the low block and hope to catch them on the counter, that’s not how I play.

“It doesn’t matter who it is, Sundowns with the quality they have, yes, fantastic. But we will go there to play our brand of football and compete and to win. So, I’ve beaten them before and I lost to them before, so I will lose to them again and I will also beat them. I go with that mind-set,” Tinkler concluded.