Following five consecutive victories, Mamelodi Sundowns will now take on newcomers Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday in their latest DStv Premiership challenge.
Kick-off is at 5pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
MATCH BACKGROUND
Polokwane City had a decent return to top-flight football, bagging two wins out of four matches played so far.
Rise and Shine started their 23/24 campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Cape Town City.
However Lehlohonolo Seema and company followed that result with victories over Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town Spurs.
Polokwane City now head into their next tie on the back of a 3-2 loss against Golden Arrows and currently occupy fifth spot on the table.
As for Sundowns, the reigning league champions lead the way at the top of the table after five matches played.
During this period, the Brazilians recorded wins against Sekhukhune United, Kaizer Chiefs, Golden Arrows, Chippa United and, more recently, Richards Bay.
Up Next 🔜 One more away encounter to close out the month!
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 28, 2023
⚽ Polokwane City vs Mamelodi Sundowns
📆 30 August
⏰ 17H00
🏟 Peter Mokaba Stadium
🏆 DStv Premiership
📺 SS 202
📲 #Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/YHq2p27dMo
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Sundowns have the clear upper hand over Polokwane City as far as the head-to-head battle is concerned.
In the last five matches played in all competitions, the Chloorkop side managed to claim four victories with one stalemate played during this period.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Polokwane City:
Given Mashikinya: As a marquee signing ahead of the 23/24 campaign, Mashikinya will no doubt be Polokwane City’s go-to man in the middle of the park.
In facing a well-drilled Downs midfield, the former Sekhukhune United man’s biggest challenge will be to keep the engine running throughout the 90 minutes.
Mamelosi Sundowns:
Lucas Costa: The Brazilian has been a top performer for Sundowns so far and settled well into life in the PSL.
Along with the likes of Marcelo Allende and Themba Zwane, Costa will be a major threat to the Rise and Shine backline.
WHAT THEY SAID....
Speaking ahead of the tie, Seema remained in a relaxed mode despite facing the league’s most in form outfit.
“No [I’m not worried], let them go enjoy the game, so we’re not worried,” Seema said.
“Mamelodi Sundowns are beating everyone; why should I be worried? We just go there, we focus on ourselves, we fix what we couldn’t fix today.
“And after that, we continue to the next one.”
As for coach Rulani Mokwena, the philosophical mentor once again became a major trending topic online after he addressed critics who believe he has an easy job at mentoring the Brazilians.
“You know the saying right?” Mokwena said.
“It’s a saying that is doing the rounds that anyone can coach Sundowns, so any coach can bring that goal, so I don’t want to talk about it.
“It’s the quality of the players – and we’ve got good players – but it’s a beautiful goal and we have scored so many goals this season, in fact even last season we scored some amazing goals.”
PLAYERS WHO FEATURED FOR BOTH TEAMS
Other than Sammy Seabi, who joined Sundowns from Polokwane City in the 19/20 season, there has not been much business between the two sides in recent history.
In the 16/17 campaign, Polokwane City signed Rodney Ramagalela from Sundowns on a free transfer with the striker failing to cement his place in the club’s starting XI.
The most notable transfer deal between the two sides came in the 15/16 season, which saw the highly rated Punch Masanamela join Rise and Shine for an undisclosed fee.