Swallows out to spoil Sundowns party

Swallows FC will continue their battle for survival in the DStv Premiership when they face newly-crowned champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

FORM

Amaswaiswai snapped their two-match winless run in the league when they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AmaZulu FC at home on April 1 having lost two matches in a row before facing Usuthu.

The Soweto giants are placed 13th on the DStv Premiership standings - three points above the relegation zone and a win over Sundowns will see Swallows move further away from the bottom two spots.

Meanwhile, Sundowns extended their unbeaten run to 24 matches across all competitions when they drew 0-0 with Cape Town City at home on Tuesday and it was their second draw in their last three league games.

Masandawana have already clinched this season's league championship with seven games to spare and they are currently 20 points clear of second-placed SuperSport United with six games left.

TEAM NEWS

Swallows have no suspension worries and they are yet to report any injuries in their camp.

Sundowns, on the other hand, have some of the biggest injury-lists in the PSL with Rivaldo Coetzee, Bongani Zungu, Gaston Sirino and Jerome Karelse among those who are out injured, but the club has no suspension concerns.

WHAT WAS SAID

Swallows interim coach Musa Nyatama

“Very big win for us, at least it will give us time to breathe a little bit. We are still not safe though. We are on 27 points, but yeah, we have time to prepare for our game next week against Mamelodi Sundowns,” Nyatama said.

“The only thing we did was convert our chances though we only scored one but you could see even in the first half. I think we created about two clear-cut chances, and in the second half. But the only thing we did was to convert that chance through Malinga, who has been doing well for us.”

“Sundowns have a very good squad. There are a lot of good players so we are not going there undermining them that they have won the league already. We want to fight and hopefully we will get maximum points.”

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena

“[It was] a tough game [against Cape Town City], very difficult game against a good opponent with very good players on the pitch, but a good game of football," Mokwena said.

"I like the performance a lot better than the performances of Coton Sport and Al Hilal also. Today I liked the performances, just the differences – in Sudan [was that] we scored, the last match we scored two and today we just couldn’t score,

"But I liked the performance today. It’s football you know you can’t win them all, we go again and prepare for Swallows and try to win the next one.”

Swallows:PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kagiso Malinga: The 28-year-old striker netted the winning goal against AmaZulu and it was Swallows top scorer's fifth goal of the season. Malinga will be looking to propel Amaswaiswai to another victory.

Waseem Isaacs: The bulky marksman has formed a good understanding with Malinga having combined for Swallows' goal against AmaZulu and the duo is likely to cause havoc for the Sundowns defence.

Mamelodi Sundowns: PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cassius Mailula: The new Bafana Bafana international has failed to score in his last five competitive matches and he will be determined to end his goal-drought when he faces Swallows' leaky defence.

Peter Shalulile: The reigning DStv Premiership Player of the Season is sitting at the top of the league's scoring charts with 11 goals. Shalulile will be keen to add to his tally and help Downs return to winning ways.