AmaTuks out to end Sundowns' quadruple dream

University of Pretoria will play host to a quadruple-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns side in Friday's Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

AmaTuks are enjoying a 16-match unbeaten run across all competitions having made it four victories in a row when they claimed a 1-0 victory over Casric Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship on 5 April as the Tshwane side seeks promotion to the DStv Premiership.

University of Pretoria reached this stage of the Nedbank Cup after securing surprise victories over second-tier rivals, Venda FC and DStv Premiership clubs Cape Town Spurs and Moroka Swallows in the Last 32 and Last 16 respectively.

Meanwhile, Sundowns are unbeaten in 19 matches across all competitions having secured a 1-0 win over Cape Town Spurs in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday and their dream of winning a quadruple is very much alive having already won the African Football League title.

Masandawana booked their spot in this round of the Nedbank Cup after claiming routine victories over AmaTuks' Motsepe Foundation Championship rivals, NB La Masia and Maritzburg United and the Tshwane giants are looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2022.

TEAM NEWS

AmaTuks have no suspension concerns, but Sundowns loanees Thabang Sibanyoni and Promise Mkhuma will be unavailable for selection due to the club's loan agreement with the DStv Premiership champions.

Sundowns, on the other hand, will be without the suspended Khuliso Mudau. Aubrey Modiba, Divine Lunga, Bongani Zungu, Abdelmounaum Boutouil, Siyanda Nyanga, Zuko Mdunyelwa and Rushine De Reuck are all on the Masandawana's injury list.

WHAT WAS SAID?

University of Pretoria coach Tlisane Motaung

“A team like Sundowns rotate the ball and where the ball is they have numbers. The questions will always be what do you do when you win the ball," Motaung said.

"In the middle of that park, how do you close the space so they don’t get those half-spaces the coach [Rulani Mokwena] always talks about? When you have a standard situation, what do you do,

"How do you impose yourself in those situations? There are a few things we have identified that if we can execute them on the day, we give ourselves a 50/50 chance of competing in the game."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena

"We are pleasantly happy with that draw because it minimizes a lot of travelling. For them to be still in the competition as one of the only lower-ranked teams already speaks of their quality," Mokwena said.

"I had an opportunity to watch their game against Moroka Swallows and they were very competitive. They have some good players and some come from our youth structures

"And so we have a lot of preparation to do. We saw against Maritzburg United how difficult it is to play the NFD sides."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Samuel Julies, AmaTuks: The former Sundowns attacker is the heartbeat of AmaTuks' attack and he has found the back five times in the league this season. Julies will be keen to haunt Masandawana by inspiring AmaTuks to another surprise cup victory.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Sundowns: The left-footed forward grabbed a morale-boosting goal against Spurs as he snapped his four-match goal drought. Ribeiro will now be confident of scoring again and helping Sundowns overcome AmaTuks.

Head-to-Head (since 2012/13)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2012/13 Telkom KO Last 16 Sundowns 1-0 U Pretoria Laffor

2014/15 Telkom KO Last 16 Sundowns 2-1* U Pretoria Langerman, Domingues; Massa\

*After extra time

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA

U Pretoria 2 0 0 2 1 3

Sundowns 2 2 0 0 3 1

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers