Engine room battle: Diamond v Rotation

As with all of the big games, the midfield area is so often where the match is won and lost. Sundowns went with a midfield diamond against City and it worked to a certain degree. The one possible disappointment was Maema,

who didn’t look comfortable as a shuttler on the right. He was often very deep, almost next to Mokoena and he was the one who didn’t track Nodada for City’s clearest opportunity. Downs could choose to switch back to their 4-2-2-2 with two 10s and two defensive screens, but either way, Zwane has to find a way not to be outnumbered in that area.

A big absence is that of Phathutshedzo Nange due to suspension. His fine form at the back-end of last season saw him handed his Bafana Bafana debut

against Morocco at the age of 30. He brings the energy which Alexander offers but with greater ball-carrying ability and a wider range of passing. His dribbling on transitions and his ability to find Dolly in that right half-space is a major loss. As for the Brazilians, Mokoena playing as the deepest midfielder was perhaps a surprise for many, considering it means he is rarely in a position to use his longrange shooting. He was very good in that role and played there a number of times at SuperSport United right after Dean Furman’s departure. Zwane may look at the big spaces to the sides of Mokoena and see potential for Dolly and “Mshini” Ngcobo to thrive though. He could be bold and leave out Alexander, with Maart and Sithebe as a pivot, and Ngcobo playing either on the right flank or in Alexander’s left central midfield role.