Mamelodi Sundowns will turn their focus to domestic league competition on Wednesday afternoon when they visit Golden Arrows in KwaZulu-Natal.
Masandawana are preparing to continue with their DStv Premiership campaign after returning from continental football action two days ago. The defending Champions are set to come face to face with a tough Arrows team that is positioned number six on the log after six league encounters, Coach Manqoba Mngqithi explained the complexity of their opponents.
“Golden Arrows is difficult to predict. The team they used [when they were playing] against us changed when they played [against Sekhukhune [which] brought a little bit more stability in their midfield with a three men defensive and offensive midfield of [Velemseni] Ndwandwe, [Simo] Mbhele and [Nqubeko] Dlamini, [this] brought more impact to play behind the defense of [Pule] Modi and [Thubelihle] Magubane with [Knox] Mutizwa always coming in short, probably to create space for the wingers because I think they were coming inside. It’s always a very difficult game to approach but we believe that we’ve got a team that is capable of dealing with it.”
With back to back games on The Brazilian’s plate, Coach Manqoba expressed the possibility of rotation and changes in the squad for tomorrow’s battle:
“There are going to be some changes, to try and refresh the team considering that we had traveled and played in very harsh weather, very humid, most players were dehydrated [that is why] we are going to have few changes. We can not tamper that much with the lineup , we’ve had some bad injuries that have cost us to change the lineup alot [and] that’s basically what has put us in a very bad foot, but fortunately we are coming into this match at the back of regaining some of those players that were not there in Congo.”
“It is very important to refresh the team from the team that played in Congo so that we are safe from fatigue. The players that we are bringing in also have to show that they deserve to play ahead of those that have been playing all along, it’s a two-way scenario.”
With their excellent form in their DStv Premiership campaign, Bafana Ba Style are yet to concede a goal or taste defeat. Coach Manqoba concluded with a statement that reflects their identity as the Yellow Nation.
“What is always important for us, which I think is the culture that we have [installed] in our players, it’s the culture of wanting to win every training session, wanting to win every friendly match, wanting to win any match match that we get to play at any given day without looking at the variables – whether it’s against a big team or a small team, it’s a cup match or a final. That is what is going to help us, everybody is eager to go all out and give it their best shot.”
Mamelodi Sundowns will do battle with Golden Arrows on Wednesday at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium. Kick-off is 15h00, watch the game live on Supersport channel 202
I concur with coach Manqoba that the players who will be given a chance must show commitment and the eagerness to play ahead of the first team.
They must remember to keep a clean sheet that winning this match ensures that their part of the team.
All the best to the new squad
Can the Coach briefly let us know what is going on with Gift cause the other 2 Strikers have been given enough minutes. But they have been not putting the ball behind the net. It will make sense to me if Gift can get some time on the field. Specially Romeo he may be contributing some how but as a attack not too much entries in the nets
I really do not what happened to Gift! He played well towards the end of last year and he enjoys the high press that our coaches always talk about! Since the beginning of this season he has not been part of the squad at all! Initially i thought he was injured but his name does not come on the updates of the injured players! He really deserves a chance! I rate him ahead of Romeo and Safranko