Swallows out to slow down Sundowns' title pursuit

Moroka Swallows will go head-to-head with run-away leaders Mamelodi Swallows in Monday's DStv Premiership encounter at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Dube Birds saw their two-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end when they succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat to their relegation rivals Richards Bay away on 6 April.

Swallows are occupying the 14th spot in the DStv Premiership standings - eight points above the relegation zone and five points behind eighth-placed Kaizer Chiefs with seven games left.

Meanwhile, Sundowns stretched their unbeaten run to 20 matches across all competitions when they secured a 4-3 win over the University of Pretoria on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Nedbank Cup on 12 April.

Masandawana are sitting pretty at the top of the DStv Premiership standings - 13 points clear of second-placed Stellenbosch FC and the Tshwane giants also have two games in hand.

TEAM NEWS

Swallows will be boosted by the availability of experienced defender Kwanda Mngonyama who missed the game against Richards Bay due to a one-match suspension.

Sundowns, on the other hand, will also welcome back their influential right-back Khuliso Mudau from a one-match suspension having missed the Nedbank Cup match.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Moroka Swallows coach Musa Nyatama

"Realistically, we have to look at the log and who we are playing. We still have Sundowns who are a very good side," Nyatama said.

"It won't be easy for us. For us, it is to check how far we can go and get to at least 32 points, a short-term goal. That is a short-term goal to say let's get to 32 points. Then other matches we will see if we can get maximum points."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena

“It is so difficult. It is a cup game, No 1, and so difficult to control. It is a team that plays so open, so stretched. The long balls stretch you also, but okay, the most important thing is that we’re in the semifinals," Mokwena said.

“I have to deal with their mood swings, their tiredness and their grumpiness. At this moment in time, we just keep going because no one cares and I said this the last time that no one cares. Who cares that I am feeling tired? No one cares.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Frank Mhango, Swallows: The Malawian star was on the scoresheet the last time the Dube Birds registered a win as they defeated Cape Town Spurs on 31 March. Swallows will pin their hopes of defeating Sundowns on Mhango.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Sundowns: The left-footed forward is in top form at the moment having found the back of the net in his last two matches for Masandawana. Ribeiro could be key to a Sundowns victory in Soweto.

Head-to-Head

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2013/14 Swallows 0-1 Sundowns Modise

2014/15 Swallows 0-2 Sundowns Niang, Mahachi

2014/15 Sundowns 4-1 Swallows Schut, Malajila 2, Modise; Nomandela (pen)

2020/21 Sundowns 1-1 Swallows Erasmus; Nyatama

2020/21 Swallows 0-0 Sundowns

2021/22 Sundowns 3-0 Swallows Safranko, Maela, Shalulile

2021/22 Swallows 2-4 Sundowns Solomons, Gamildien; Shalulile 3, Ralani

2022/23 Sundowns 2-0 Swallows Maema, Zwane

2022/23 Swallows 0-0 Sundowns

2023/24 Sundowns 3-0 Swallows (Awarded)

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Swallows 34 6 13 15 23 38

Sundowns 33 20 6 7 65 30

Away

P W D L GF GA

Swallows 33 7 6 20 30 65

Sundowns 34 15 13 6 38 23

Total

P W D L GF GA

Swallows 67 13 19 35 53 103

Sundowns 67 35 19 13 103 53