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Galaxy out to slay depleted Sundowns

football17 October 2023 14:25
By:BackpageTXT
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Bernard Parker © Backpage Pix

TS Galaxy will go head-to-head with Mamelodi Sundowns in Wednesday's Carling Knockout Last 16 encounter at the Mbombela Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The Rockets are set to make their debut appearance in the South African League Cup, but the Mpumalanga-based side did win the 2019 Nedbank Cup as a second-tier club.

Galaxy are coming into this encounter winless in their last five matches having succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in a DStv Premiership match on 4 October.

Meanwhile, Sundowns are defending champions having won the last edition of the Telkom Knockout in 2019 and they are keen to retain the trophy after their MTN8 final loss.

Masandawana suffered their first loss of the season when they lost to Orlando Pirates on penalties in the MTN8 final on 7 October, but they remain undefeated in regulation time.

TEAM NEWS

Galaxy have no suspension worries while Rwanda's first-choice goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari and Bafana Bafana midfielder Mlungisi Mbunjana are both available for selection.

Sundowns, on the other hand, will be without Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena (suspended}, and Aubrey Modiba who are with Bafana in Ivory Coast.

WHAT WAS SAID

TS Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic

"It takes a lot to plan (for Sundowns), whether they go with two fullbacks up or with one central defender to get into the middle to add more numbers," Mokwena said.

“So it’s not easy to plan because our players have to defend and also be offensive. We will spend a lot of time coming up with a better game plan than the last time we beat them.

"We were disciplined and followed the fullbacks, so we will try again to take the game in our hands to win.”

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena

“It would have been difficult with any other opponent, so we take it. TS Galaxy are a very good team," Mokwena said.

"Well structured and are much stronger than last season. They did some incredible work during the transfer period and they have a very good coach with a very strong technical team.

"We are looking forward to the game. It’s a Cup game and one we have to enjoy once again,” he said.

TS GALAXY: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bernard Parker: The experienced attacker, who won the league title with both FC Twente in the Netherlands and Kaizer Chiefs, remains a key player in Ramovic's side. His experience could be key to Galaxy's efforts to secure a win over Sundowns.

Samir Nurkovic: The Serbian centre forward has regained his full match fitness having started Galaxy's last two matches and he will be looking to open his scoring account and also help the Rockets overcome Masandawana.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Junior Mendieta: With Zwane unavailable, Mokwena will look to the Argentine attacking midfielder who netted his first goal for Sundowns in a 1-0 win over Richards Bay two months ago and he could be key to a Downs win in Nelspruit.

Peter Shalulile: The lethal forward has failed to score in his last two matches for Sundowns. Shalulile will be hungry for goals when he faces a leaky Galaxy defence that has conceded four goals in the team's last two games.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (since 2020/21)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

N/A – This will be the first cup meeting of TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns.

CUP RECORD

N/A – This will be the first cup meeting of TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns.

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2020/21 Sundowns 2-0 Galaxy Shalulile, Zwane

2020/21 Galaxy 0-1 Sundowns Shalulile

2021/22 Sundowns 3-0 Galaxy Lebusa, Shalulile, Kutumela

2021/22 Galaxy 0-3 Sundowns Mudau, Domingo, Shalulile

2022/23 Sundowns 0-1 Galaxy Hlongwane

2022/23 Galaxy 1-2 Sundowns Traore (pen); De Reuck, Shalulile

OVERALL RECORD (all competitions)

P W D L GF GA

Galaxy 6 1 0 5 2 11

Sundowns 6 5 0 1 11 2

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