Downs looking to put city rivals to the sword again
Matsatsantsa not in their best form
If you are looking for a one-sided clash in the local game, then look no further than the Tshwane derby.
Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United meet again at Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow (6pm) with the Brazilians in a good position to continue their dominance over their neighbours.
SuperSport’s last league win over Sundowns goes way back to 2013. In their last 10 league meetings, the Brazilians boast eight wins.
To make matters worse, Matsatsantsa are not in the best of forms with just two wins, five losses and three draws in their last 10 league outings. But head coach Eric Tinkler could draw on some positives amid their struggles. They are 10th on the table.
“We scored four against Bloemfontein Celtic [4-2 win] and kept a clean sheet [against Platinum Stars, 0-0], so moving forward into the next game [against Sundowns] we will go with a positive mindset and attitude,” Tinkler said.
“In the next game we will put up a fight again. It will be an extremely tough match. But what we know is that the motivation is there.”
Meanwhile, if Sundowns can collect maximum points against SuperSport like they have done many times over the years, they could be in an even stronger position on the log.
“We’ve got a healthy goal difference and we are five points ahead. To me, that is still good enough,” said Sundowns assistant coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
He was in charge for the past two matches standing in for suspended Pitso Mosimane, but the latter will return to the bench to face his former side.
Despite the history and the difference in form between the two sides, Mngqithi is still wary of SuperSport.
“We are playing against a team that is desperate for a result,” he said.
All eyes will be on Sundowns forward Jeremy Brockie if he does get a run against his former team. The New Zealander has been misfiring since his transfer to the Brazilians last month. He last registered a league goal in September.
SuperSport, however, have a Sundowns player in their ranks in Mogakolodi Ngele, who’s on loan and will also be eager to prove himself. SuperSport SuperSport Sundowns SuperSport Sundowns SuperSport Sundowns Sundowns Sundowns SuperSport Sundowns
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