Sundowns bid to end domestic cup drought

Mamelodi Sundowns will launch their bid to end a four-year domestic cup drought when they host Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

Masandawana enter without a competitive outing this season after their Betway Premiership opener against Marumo Gallants was postponed due to Jayden Adams’s death, disrupting pre-season, though they still sharpened up in Austria with a 7-0 thrashing of Qatari side Al-Sailiya.

Home advantage, superior squad depth and their status as African champions place Sundowns firmly as favourites to progress deep in the tournament and end their four-year domestic cup drought.

Polokwane City, meanwhile, started their Betway Premiership campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 away win over Richards Bay on August 2 and will look to build on that momentum to cause an upset against the Brazilians.

Rise and Shine will need to stay tightly organised at the back, limit space behind them, and maximise every counter-attacking opportunity if they are to upset a star-studded Sundowns side and progress in the tournament.

TEAM NEWS

Brayan Leon will serve a suspension after his fourth yellow card against TS Galaxy last season resulted in a one-match ban, ruling the Mamelodi Sundowns striker out of the clash.

New signings Cassius Mailula, Antonio Van Wyk and Siyanda Ndlovu could make their official debuts for the Brazilians.

Thabang Matuludi, on the other hand, is now available for Polokwane City after serving the carry-over suspension from his red card against Golden Arrows late last season, which caused him to miss the Richards Bay opener.

𝙈𝙏𝙉8 𝙇𝘼𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙃 🏆

The stage is set for the 2026/27 #MTN8, and The Brazilians are ready for another battle for silverware 🙌#Sundowns #NeverStopRising pic.twitter.com/MondlpPfBf
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 6, 2026

WHAT WAS SAID?

Mamelodi Sundowns Left-Back Aubrey Modiba

“We really want to go back to winning local tournaments. Obviously, winning the Champions League adds a little bit of that because you always want to celebrate," Modiba said.

“We won’t take Polokwane City for granted because we know that cup competitions are different from league games. If we crash out in the MTN8, I think it won’t look great to our supporters."

Polokwane City Captain Puleng Marema

"I am excited that we qualified for this exciting competition. Sundowns are a good club with exceptional players and always give us problems. I hope that we do well and go through to the semifinals," said Marema.

"Remember, small clubs are always fighting to qualify for the Top 8 and we achieved that last season. We will go all out to win. Whether I start or come in from the bench, I am going to give my all to try and make this a memorable one for our supporters who will be travelling to watch us.

"I have never been lucky enough to win any silverware, but this is an opportunity for us to turn things around."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nuno Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns: The former Portugal under-21 star delivered two assists in each of his final two Betway Premiership matches last season. Against Polokwane City, Santos could hurt them by supplying dangerous cut-backs or crosses that create clear-cut chances for Sundowns’ attackers.

Ndamulelo Maphangule, Polokwane City: The Bafana Bafana midfielder scored a confidence-boosting goal in Rise and Shine's win over Richards Bay. Against Sundowns. Maphangule could help stun the Brazilians by providing an aerial threat and linking midfield to attack with aplomb.