Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has urged his team to keep building on their nine-match winning streak in the Betway Premiership when they face a buoyant Durban City at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday, April 7. Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2). Catch the action live on SuperSport.
Current form:
The Brazilians are locked in a tight battle with Orlando Pirates for the league title and reclaimed top spot following a 4-1 victory over Chippa United on April 3.
Bafana Ba Style went two points clear of the Buccaneers, who take on Golden Arrows in a concurrent fixture at the Orlando Amstel Arena and will be looking to maintain their own five-game unbeaten run.
Masandawana have found the back of the net 21 times during that impressive run and goal difference may well decide who is crowned champions at the end of the season, but Cardoso insists it is more important to put points on the board.
The Citizens will be brimming with confidence after booking their first cup final appearance since 2018 in beating Casric Stars 1-0 in the Nedbank Cup semifinals on April 4.
Pitso Dladla's side are also challenging for a CAF berth as they trail third-placed AmaZulu by just two points with eight games remaining in the campaign.
The KZN outfit returned to winning ways in the top flight as they edged provincial rivals Richards Bay 1-0 on March 22, having bounced back from a 1-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs one week earlier.
Sundowns came back from an early goal down to run out 3-1 victors in the reverse fixture on September 20 following City's promotion back to the Betway Premiership after a two-year absence.
What was said:
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso
"So next match, let's try to go to Durban, make a job similar to what we have been doing, not worrying about how many goals or wins. I don't even think about that, because it takes you to a spot or place that gives you nothing.
"If we want to be champions, we need to make a good series of victories in the matches we still have. There will be no space for many points dropped. So focus is now the Durban match... We must add more victories to this nine-win run."
Players to watch:
Durban City - The Citizens haven't been prolific in front of goal this term and Samkelo Maseko is their top scorer with four. The 23-year-old winger went one clear of Saziso Magawana with his winner against the Natal Rich Boyz last time out and he was one of the team's best players in their Nedbank Cup triumph over Casric Stars last weekend.
Mamelodi Sundowns - Iqraam Rayners is in the hunt for the Golden Boot after hitting a purple patch over the last month. The 30-year-old striker's goal against the Chilli Boys made it five in his last five games and took his league tally to 11, placing him one behind top scorer Junior Dion of Golden Arrows.
Head-to-Head: (Last Five Betway Premiership Matches)
Matches - 5
Sundowns wins - 3
Orbit wins - 1
Draws - 1