Mamelodi Sundowns face a test in Polokwane this afternoon as they do battle with Marumo Gallants at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in the final game before the international break. The Brazilians have been without fault in this season’s title defence, recording seven wins and a draw in their opening eight games, keeping a clean sheet in all games thus far.
Speaking on the eve of the game, Midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise commented on the mood in the camp approaching this weekend: “Obviously we are happy with the fact that we were able to win our last game as well as keep a clean sheet, going into the next game we know it’s not going to be easy.
“It is going to be a very difficult game, we need to keep on working hard and playing as a team so that we keep scoring goals and manage to keep another clean sheet.”
Masandawana currently top the DStv Premiership standings with 22 points, whilst Gallant have not enjoyed the same kind of form, currently occupying a place in the relegation zone coming into Sunday’s encounter. Sphelele says that the team are not taking anything for granted and expect the hosts to be the one’s looking to claim all three points with their approach: “I think they will come at us seeing that they are playing as the home team, the have not been winning a lot lately so they will want to come at us to win the game.”
Although this is the first ever league meeting between Gallants and Sundowns, the opposition will be very familiar with Bafana Ba Style going into Sunday’s game as last season they met when Gallants were known as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). The two teams met on three occasions in the previous campaign, twice in the league and once in the Nedbank Cup, with each game proving to be a stern test for the Chloorkop-based outfit.
Mkhulise shared some of the knowledge he has on the upcoming opponents and gave his thoughts on what the team need to be prepared for: “Since last season they have given us a few problems, as a team they know how to play good football, with very good combinations.”
“They also have very quick players so it’s a difficult one for us but I hope we will get the three points. On the day we must just work hard, work as a team and support each other”
Downs take on Gallants this evening at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in their bid to add three more points to their tally in the DStv Premiership. Kick off will be at 17:30 and the game will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL channel 202.
