Sundowns target daylight over pirates as Polokwane visit

Title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns will look to strengthen their grip on the Betway Premiership's top spot when they host Polokwane City at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Masandawana reclaimed the top spot with a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Polokwane City on Wednesday, extending their unbeaten run to 17 matches in the Betway Premiership in the process.

Sundowns now sit top of the table with 61 points and will be aiming to increase their lead over challengers Orlando Pirates, who are on 59 points, with a victory on home soil.

However, Polokwane are set to arrive at Loftus in a vengeful mood after their four-match unbeaten run was ended by Sundowns in their midweek encounter at the Seshego Stadium.

Rise and Shine currently sit in sixth place and a positive result against Sundowns would significantly boost their chances of securing a top-eight finish and MTN8 qualification.

TEAM NEWS

Mamelodi Sundowns continue to be hampered by injuries and are likely to be without Arthur Sales, Brayan Leon, Bathusi Aubaas, Miguel Reisinho, Nuno Santos and Mothobi Mvala, but the defending champions have enough depth in their star-studded squad.

Polokwane City, on the other hand, will welcome back Mpho Mvundlela from suspension, but will be without the suspended Lebohang Nkaki, who will be serving a one-match ban after picking his fourth yellow card of the season against Sundowns.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso

“I don’t know if it’s an advantage or not… The only advantage that other teams have over us is that this time teams don’t play in between the weeks," Cardoso said.

"So this Polokwane team played four days ago as we… that’s the only thing that we can profit from, but it’s both sides. Both teams will be exposed to a third match in a seven-day period, which is obviously a big aggression. So we don’t expect a lot of intensity, but we need to go to the limit as we can. Let’s recover the players as much as possible now.”

Polokwane head coach Phuti Mohafe

“It doesn’t matter either way because you have to play any team at any given moment,” Mohafe said.

“We will go play — not just to honour the fixture… If the three points are available, then why not. It is so unfortunate that we are playing them in a period of three days. It gives us lesser time to prepare thoroughly but we have to go and play against them.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marcelo Allende, Mamelodi Sundowns: The former Chile under-20 captain reached double figures in goal contributions (six goals, four assists) for this season when he netted the winner against Polokwane City. Allende will once again be keen to play a key role in helping Sundowns complete a league double over Rise and Shine.

Bonginkosi Dlamini, Polokwane City: The dynamic forward has been one of the team's standout performers this season, boasting more goal contributions in the league (three goals, three assists) than any other Rise and Shine player. Known for his tireless running and ability to stretch opposition defences, Dlamini has caused problems for even the strongest sides.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2017/18 Sundowns 1-2 Polokwane Lebese (pen); Ramagalela 2

2017/18 Polokwane 3-2 Sundowns Seabi, Musona, Ramagalela; Lebese, Manyisa

2018/19 Polokwane 0-2 Sundowns Nascimento, Maboe

2018/19 Sundowns 1-1 Polokwane Zwane; Onyango (og)

2019/20 Sundowns 1-0 Polokwane Vilakazi

2019/20 Polokwane 0-3 Sundowns Ngcongca, Zwane, Makgalwa

2023/24 Polokwane 0-2 Sundowns Costa 2 (1 pen)

2023/24 Sundowns 0-0 Polokwane

2024/25 Polokwane 1-0 Sundowns Nikani