The Citizen (KZN)

City still licking their wounds

HE KNOWS WHAT TO EXPECT

- Michaelson Gumede

Recent meetings between Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City have not disappoint­ed where goals are concerned and tonight promises to be another spectacle, seeing that Masandawan­a have netted six goals in the last two games on home soil.

Downs will continue their Absa Premiershi­p title defence tonight at Loftus Versfeld against a Rise and Shine side who look like they have lost their spark.

City are coming off the back of a 3-1 loss away to a rejuvenate­d Maritzburg United and are still licking their wounds from the pain of being booted out of the Nedbank Cup by National First Division side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhand­ila in the first round.

Polokwane coach Jozef Vukusic told Phakaaathi he knows all about Bafana Ba Style.

“We know what to expect because we follow Mamelodi Sundowns and because we see them in the Caf Champions League so we know they are a quality team with very good players and we have to be well prepared for that . game in defence and attack,” said Vukusic.

City have been out of action since February 8 and the Slovak said he used that time to prepare to the tee ahead of the Sundowns assignment.

“We have had enough time since our last game because we didn’t play for a while and we are ready. All the players who were injured are now back and I have the full squad to select from for this game,” Vukusic.

The fact that Sundowns are playing catch-up to leaders Bidvest Wits, whom they trail by three points and will face this weekend in Braamfonte­in, does not make tonight’s encounter any easier for Vukusic, whose side will face Ersnt Middendorp’s Kaizer Chiefs this weekend at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

“They (Sundowns) have targets in the league and of course this league is very competitiv­e, every game is important. After Sundowns we play Chiefs, so it will not be any easier for us. But it is a good challenge and good motivation for my players and I hope everyone will bring good individual and team brilliance and from there I hope we will have a good game,” Vukusic added.

 ?? Picture: Gallo Images ?? JOZEF VUKUSIC
Picture: Gallo Images JOZEF VUKUSIC
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