Seema faces preparation dilemma ahead of Downs clash

Sekhukhune United coach Lehlohonolo Seema has admitted that he does not know how Mamelodi Sundowns will approach their upcoming game when the two sides lock horns at Loftus Versfeld in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday night.

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

CURRENT FORM

Unbeaten in their last 21 league encounters, Sundowns are marching ahead in search of their seventh DStv Premiership title in succession.

As it stands, the Brazilians boast a 10-point lead over Stellenbosch FC, having played three games less than the Cape Winelands outfit. Sundowns go into their next game on the back of a 1-0 loss to Espérance in the first-leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal assignment.

In the league, Sundowns last recorded a 2-2 draw against Moroka Swallows, while Sekhukhune head into their next game on the back of a 1-0 win against Cape Town Spurs.

Babina Noko are unbeaten in their last 10 league fixtures and currently occupy 4th place on the log.

WHAT WAS SAID

“Obviously we don’t have time on our side, so we needed that recovery and regeneration we did when we came back from Tunisia and I think we are ready for the game,” said Sundowns star Bathusi Aubaas.

“Given we didn’t have time [on the training pitch] on Monday, we were busy with video analysis and focused on our final preparation in camp later on.”

"You never plan for Sundowns [because we don't know who they will field] and you can't say they will be tired because we don't know who will pitch," Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema said in preparation for the game against the Brazilians.

"The players have been conditioned. This team [Sundowns] has been playing a lot of games. So, you can't expect that they will be tired. We are expecting a difficult game, especially since we will be playing away.

"We have to look at ourselves at the moment, trying to prepare and make sure that we are ready to take that game. If we focus more on Sundowns and neglect ourselves... we will be making a big mistake. We will see what they have put on the line-up."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Peter Shalulile – With Mokwena expected to shuffle his pack for the upcoming clash, Shalulile could well get the nod in attack. The Namibian has an impressive record against Babina Noko, scoring in each of his last four games against the Limpopo outfit.

Sekhukhune United: Jamie Webber – As the heartbeat of the Sekhukhune midfield, Webber will no doubt be in for a busy day at Loftus. While Webber will be tasked to keep the Downs midfield at an arm’s length, Webber’s ability to make late runs into the box was often used as a potent weapon this season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Last five league games:

2021/22 Sundowns 2-0 Sekhukhune

2021/22 Sekhukhune 0-2 Sundowns

2022/23 Sekhukhune 1-1 Sundowns

2022/23 Sundowns 2-0 Sekhukhune

2023/24 Sekhukhune 1-2 Sundowns