Sundowns look to topple Pirates with Gallants win

Mamelodi Sundowns will be aiming to claim the Betway Premiership's top spot with a victory when they host Marumo Gallants at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm CAT, live on SuperSport.

CURRENT FORM

Masandawana are in great form at the moment, having secured a 3-0 home victory over Stade Malien in the Caf Champions League on March 13, extending their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions, which comprises five successive wins.

Sundowns' strong form also sees them sitting second in the Betway Premiership standings, a point behind leaders Orlando Pirates, who have played one more match than Masandawana, and a win over Gallants would see the Tshwane giants claim top spot with a three-point lead.

Gallants, meanwhile, have been struggling as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership on March 14, which extended their inconsistent run with only one win in their last 10 league matches.

Although Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have shown resilience in recent weeks as they secured a surprise 3-1 win over Chippa United on March 4, they are placed 14th in the league standings, but a win over Sundowns would see them move further away from the relegation zone.

TEAM NEWS

Mamelodi Sundowns will be without three key players due to suspension - Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, and Jayden Adams - while Mothobi Mvala remains sidelined through ongoing injury rehabilitation.

Marumo Gallants, on the other hand, will miss one of their most creative threats, Katlego Otladisa, who is suspended after the former Sundowns player received a red card in their recent match against Golden Arrows.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso:

“I think we are still too far to start talking about winning trophies at this stage of the season. The only thing on our minds is how we will play against Marumo Gallants on Tuesday.

“We will then start thinking about the Malien game in Bamako because if our mindset is not on the next game, we will lose it along the way. So, we just need to think about the next match and take it one game at a time.

“The most important thing is to focus on the Marumo match because, despite their position in the league, we all know how our last game against them ended (lost 7-6 on penalties in the Carling Knockout).”

Marumo Gallants interim co-coach Trevor Mathiane:

“My Diski Challenge boys were number 15 on the log. Now the Diski Challenge are doing well and are now No 7.

"It is the same thing with the first team... So, we need to work very hard, remove them and take them to the top eight, which is still possible.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Iqraam Rayners, Mamelodi Sundowns: The lethal striker is one of the most in-form players in the country, having scored five goals in his last four matches to help Masandwana maintain their current winning streak, and he will pose a major threat to Gallants.

Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Marumo Gallants: The experienced attacking midfielder scored in Bahlabane Ba Ntwa's first league win since October - a recent win over Chippa United - and he will be crucial to their hopes of pulling off an upset against Sundowns.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 Gallants 0-4 Sundowns Zwane, Shalulile 2, Safranko

2021/22 Sundowns 1-1 Gallants Kapinga; Ndlondlo (pen)

2022/23 Sundowns 1-0 Gallants Mkhulise

2022/23 Gallants 0-2 Sundowns Morena, Zwane

2024/25 Sundowns 4-1 Gallants Matthews, Rayners, Ribeiro, Mkhulise; Mhango

2024/25 Gallants 1-3 Sundowns Dion; Allende, Ribeiro, Rayners

2025/26 Gallants 1-1 Sundowns Cupido (og); Rayners

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2021/22)

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