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Brazilians hoping to turn on the style against Chilli Boys

football07 March 2024 16:05| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena wants to see more patience on the ball from his team when Chippa United arrive at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 8pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Mokwena was not a happy man after the 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates on 17 February, saying the Brazilians lacked fluidity and that he didn't like what he saw from them.

It was their third stalemate in four games, although Masandawana subsequently got back on the winning trail as they beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at  Loftus Versfeld on 27 February.

Sundowns' midweek clash with TS Galaxy was postponed after the Rockets' team bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday and Mokwena's side boasted an 11-point lead over the trio of Stellenbosch (2nd), Cape Town City (3rd) and SuperSport United (4th).

The Chilli Boys remain unbeaten in the new year after they ran out comfortable 3-0 victors against 10-man Richards Bay at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday, 6 March.

Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo registered their first win at the helm since taking over as co-coaches in January, with Morgan Mammila moving upstairs into the role of Technical Director.

The duo had kicked off their tenure with back-to-back 1-1 draws against the Citizens and Stellies after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations break and their team are now 10th in the standings on 23 points, just one outside the top eight. 

WHAT WAS SAID

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena on the win against Arrows:

"I liked the patience, sticking to the identity, and probing. We did a bit better in the second half with an extra touch, and not releasing the ball too quickly.

"We've been struggling with that for the last couple of games, but we were better today, especially in the second half."

Chippa United co-coach Thabo September on the relationship with Mammila:

"We have a very good working relationship. We respect the space, we respect each other. He is actually the one who recommended us to come to the club.

"So we bounce ideas off each other so our working relationship is very good. We thank the chairman for him to bring us here and working for this club.

"When we look at the team we look at everyone with a fresh eye. So everyone gets an equal opportunity. We do consult with the technical director as part of the system and we get a final say."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mamelodi Sundowns - Lucas Ribeiro did an exquisite job of leading the line against AmaZulu in the absence of Peter Shalulile, scoring his first hat-trick in Sundowns colours. The Brazilian is enjoying a superb debut season in South Africa and leads the scoring charts in the DStv Premiership with 10 goals from just 12 appearances. 

Chippa United - Craig Martin is flourishing at Chippa following his switch from Orlando Pirates in the off-season and has scored in back-to-back games against Stellies and the Natal Rich Boyz. The winger is having his most productive season in front of goal, having found the back of the net five times in 15 outings, eclipsing the four he scored for Cape Town City in 2021-22. 

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last Five DStv Premiership Meetings

Matches - 5
Sundowns wins - 4
Chippa wins - 0
Draws - 1

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