Mamelodi Sundowns will aim to extend their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership to 15 points when they face Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT
CURRENT FORM
Mamelodi Sundowns have bounced back spectacularly since being dealt their second loss in the league at the hands of TS Galaxy in early February. They have won their last two league fixtures, scoring seven goals and only conceding two.
The Brazilians currently enjoy a 12 point lead over title challengers Orlando Pirates, who still have three games in hand.
Sekhukhune United moved into third place in the Betway Premiership after defeating Chippa United 1-0 in a closely-contested affair on Saturday.
Like Sundowns, Babina Noko have won their last two fixtures in the league and will be looking to cement their spot in the top three with a home victory against the league leaders.
TEAM NEWS
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso announced that midfield maestro Themba Zwane will be fit before the end of the season, but is not yet ready to get back on the pitch.
Both Tashreeq Matthews and Grant Kekana should be available after serving suspensions, but Bathusi Aubaas may not feature after being substituted due to injury against TS Galaxy.
Sekhukhune United expect to be at full health, aside from Njabulo Ncobo, who is unlikely to return from injury this week.
WHAT WAS SAID
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso:
“So now we need to continue to work in terms of [recovering] players as best as we can so that we can prepare, because ahead of us is a tough schedule. So, we need to focus on our job. We need to continue to win games so that we can, obviously, in the end have the points that allow us to win, but there's a lot of, a lot of games to play.”
Sekhukhune United head coach Lehlohonolo Seema:
“We are going to go there and play and fight for the three points. They are coming to our backyard. We lost the first leg but we are capable of winning, getting the win [in] the second leg.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mamelodi Sundowns: The Brazilians’ resident Brazilian, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, has proved his class this season. With 10 goals in 16 league appearances, he currently tops the goalscoring chart and will be hard for Babina Noko to stop.
Sekhukhune United: Linda Mntambo has been a key piece in Sekhukhune’s success this season. The veteran midfielder has four goals and one assist to his name so far this season and will play a crucial role in Sekhukhune’s performance on Wednesday.
HEAD TO HEAD (Last five Betway Premiership meetings)
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2021/22 Sundowns 2-0 Sekhukhune Maema, Zwane (pen)
2021/22 Sekhukhune 0-2 Sundowns Modiba, Shalulile
2022/23 Sekhukhune 1-1 Sundowns Mntambo; Shalulile
2022/23 Sundowns 2-0 Sekhukhune Shalulile, Mailula
2023/24 Sekhukhune 1-2 Sundowns Webber; Shalulile, Ribeiro
2023/24 Sundowns 2-1 Sekhukhune Matthews, Morena; Ohizu (pen)
2024/25 Sundowns 3-0 Sekhukhune Yamba (og), Sales (pen), Rayners
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 3 0 1 2 2 5
Sundowns 4 4 0 0 9 1
Away
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 4 0 0 4 1 9
Sundowns 3 2 1 0 5 2
Total
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 7 0 1 6 3 14
Sundowns 7 6 1 0 14 3