Sundowns aim to bounce back at struggling Bakgaga

Baroka FC and Mamelodi Sundowns will both be looking to bounce back from defeats in their most recent Absa Premiership outings when they meet at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT.

Baroka suffered a fourth straight league defeat when they were beaten 1-0 at home by AmaZulu. The Limpopo club have yet to win at home this season and have claimed just two points from a possible 15 as hosts.

Their struggles at home has bamboozled Wedson Nyirenda for most of the season and with the defending champions coming to town, the Bakgaga head coach will be hoping that his team can finally rise to the occasion in front of their home fans.

“We cannot be going to big clubs like [Bidvest] Wits in their home‚ taking on a very good team‚ and beating them without conceding any goals‚ but then when you come home you are just giving away goals like you are Father Christmas.

"It is not right," Nyirenda said.

Sundowns suffered their first league defeat of the season when they went down 2-0 at home to title rivals Kaizer Chiefs late last month. The Brazilians have taken seven points from a possible nine away from home this campaign.

Pitso Mosimane has suffered a potential blow in build-up to the midweek fixture with Gaston Sirino nursing an injury picked up in the club's TKO win this past weekend and as a result, there could be a change in approach for the visitors.

“The game at Baroka will be a tough one. We will have to make changes," said Mosimane.

"We must hustle and make sure we win the match. It is not important how you win it‚ trying to play the Sundowns way. When you have Sirino‚ Phakamani [Mahlambi] and Themba [Zwane] out‚ you have to just hustle and grind it out.

"We are not a team that is always playing nice and beautiful football‚ we can grind it out.”

STAR PLAYERS TO WATCH

Baroka FC

Richard Mbulu: The burly forward has played every minute of league football for the Limpopo club this season, but has yet to score a goal. Having failed to net a goal in their last three outings, Baroka are in desperate need of a goal and with new signing Prince Nxumalo breathing down his neck, Nyirenda will be hoping that Mbulu finally coughs up the goods.

Mduduzi Mdantsane: A lot of pressure lies on the shoulders of the Baroka skipper as they prepare to host a Sundowns side still wounded by the defeat they suffered at home to Chiefs. Mdantsane generally raises his game when the pressure is on and Baroka will be counting on him to have a good outing as they aim to break their duck on home soil.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Ali Meza: With the likes of Sirino and Zwane nursing injuries, the onus will fall on Meza to spark Sundowns' attack. The Venezuelan has enjoyed a new lease on life in recent weeks, having come so close to leaving Chloorkop and will be eager to repay Mosimane's faith with a good performance.

Hlompho Kekana: As with opposite number, Mdantsane, Kekana will have an important role to play as Sundowns aim to close the gap on the Amakhosi. Back in his home province, Kekana will be raring to go and if he controls the midfield battle it could be a very, very long day at the office for the hosts.