Mamelodi Sundowns welcome Pretoria neighbours AmaTuks to Loftus in a derby clash sure to set the opening round of the Telkom Knockout alight The Brazilians head into the clash on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Polokwane City last weekend. Goals from Teko Modise, Cuthbert Malajila, and a first career goal for the club from Themba Zwane, guided Sundowns to the emphatic victory. The win was Sundowns’ third in a row. The Pretoria side beat AmaZulu and Bloemfontein Celtic prior to the win over City. Pitso Mosimane’s team have looked superb since being hammered, at home, by Orlando Pirates five weeks ago. Six goals in three outings, as well as three consecutive clean-sheets prove that Sundowns seem to have overcome their early season jitters. Bafana Ba Style welcomed back Khama Billiat to training last week and there could be a first start for the talented Zimbabwean, who has recovered from a lengthy injury to his foot. Tuks, meanwhile, are on the slippery slopes and desperately need a win to relieve some of the pressure on coach Steve Barker. The Pretoria side head into the game following a dull goalless draw with Platinum Stars last weekend. Barker’s team is now without a win in four straight games and have only managed four goals in seven outings. The pair met twice last season, with Sundowns walking away winners both home and away. In fact, the two have met five times in the top-flight and Sundowns have never lost to their cross-town rivals. But Barker says Sundowns will have to watch out for the team down the road. It wont be an easy game for Mamelodi Sundowns, Barker said ahead of the game. A cup situation can relieve pressure compared to when you need to collect three points on a weekly basis. We cant allow Mamelodi Sundowns any freedom on the last third of the field. We have played a number of times at Loftus. Going down the road is an advantage compared to travelling. The teams last met in a cup competition during the 2012/13 season, also in the opening round of the Telkom Knockout, with Sundowns walking away 1-0 winners at Loftus. Despite an illustrious history, the Telkom Knockout has eluded the Brazilians lately. Sundowns last won the tournament in 1999, one of two titles. Sundowns managed to reach the final in 2012, but were famously beaten by Clinton Larsen’s Bloemfontein Celtic. In two previous appearances in the tournament, Tuks have never progressed past the first round. Mosimane expressed caution ahead of the crunch clash in the capital city. AmaTuks pose a serious challenge to us. We respect them but I guess results against them have always been good.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:19:52 +0000
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