Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to get three points on the board following their midweek draw at home to SuperSport United in the Tshwane Derby.
The Brazilians started the season well with successive clean sheets in 10 games in the DStv Premiership but have dropped points in their last two games in the league and conceded their first goals of the season. Masandawana took the lead in their midweek encounter against Matsatsantsa with two goals, however they were unable to hold on to the lead to claim the bragging rights in the capital city, goal scorer Neo Maema suggested that their busy schedule may have contributed to their performance on the day.
“Coming into [the SuperSport] game I think we prepared very well especially in the first half, we were on to them because we planned to get behind their defence and we used the spaces in front of the defense very well. Although we didn’t get so much time before the game, we played back-to-back games and we only got two days in between, but I am happy that we really stuck in, especially in the first half and we got a goal. It’s not the result that we wanted but I’m just happy with my performance.”
Masandawana’s terrific start to the 2021/22 campaign means that a recent dip in form has not seen them fall out of their number one spot that they occupy in the league and securing all the points against Sekhukhune United in the next game will further solidify their dominance. Sekhukhune have won six of the eleven games played and are in close competition to Sundowns with seven points behind. The newly promoted Sekhukhune occupy the number three position in domestic league competition.
Downs left-footer Maema says that playing at home this weekend will be an advantage that can help the team back into their victory days. Maema said: “Going into the next match we will do better, although we don’t have time to prepare but offensively we did very well coming from a goalless draw against Cape Town City. Playing at TUKS Stadium is not much of a struggle for us, it’s still a home game for us so I think if we apply ourselves well we can fight to get the maximum points.”
Bafana Ba Style will be facing Babina Noko just three days after their midweek encounter in the Tshwane Derby with pressure on their shoulders to win against their opponents. Maema says that being able to soak in and absorb the pressure will be key to their success over the new kids on the block.
“The most important thing is to rest, the recovery process is the most important thing. Going into that game we’ve already started with the analysis of Sekhukhune, we know what we are going to face, luckily for us it’s a home game and we don’t have to travel, it’s more than zoning in and getting as much rest as possible so we can be fresh going into the game.”
Mamelodi Sundowns go head-to-head with Sekhukhune United on Saturday 27 November at TUKS Stadium. Kick off is at 15h30, live on SuperSport.
