Mamelodi Sundowns are in Bloemfontein this weekend ahead of the Carling Knockout semifinal clash with Marumo Gallants on Sunday afternoon at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium. Masandawana head to this game after three successive victories and will look to maintain the momentum when they play for a final spot in the cup contest.
In a Carling Knockout press conference at Chloorkop, Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, Neo Maema and Lucas Ribeiro looked ahead to their away match, in a quest to advance to the final.
“We have done our work in terms of video analysis. We have looked at probably the last four matches that they have played. They are a very good team. Their coach has always been a coach that plays very good football with a lot of short passes, but of late, he has also developed a culture of long balls. They are a very good team with a lot of really good players,” coach Manqoba stated.
“We are preparing for a difficult semifinal match against a difficult Marumo Gallants. We are fully focused on that game because we have a big objective to play another final,” Ribeiro backed up coach Manqoba.
For Maema, a trip to Bloemfontein will be special as it is the place that birthed his passion for football. The Free State-born midfielder expressed his excitement to finally play in front of the people that raised him and nurtured his talent. He said: “it will be an honour to go home. I think it will be our second time going to Bloemfontein since I joined Mamelodi Sundowns. It’s always a great feeling to go back home where it started. Standing before the supporters who have been supporting me from the beginning of my career is exciting. We also promise our Masandawana family to give them an unforgettable experience and a performance that they will cherish.”
