Wounded Sundowns take aim at AmaZulu

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to bounce back after their weekend defeat when they host AmaZulu at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 29 January 2019, for an Absa Premiership clash.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT.

Sundowns claimed a third straight league win when they defeated Highlands Park 2-1 away from home on January 22. The Tshwane side has picked up 13 points from the last 15 up for grabs and remain the only unbeaten team in the top flight.

However, this past weekend they succumbed 2-1 away to Chippa United for a surprise defeat in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup.

The Brazilians have claimed 11 points from seven home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 1-0 win over Maritzburg United in mid-January.

AmaZulu have gone three league matches without a win after they were beaten 3-2 at home by Kaizer Chiefs on January 16. The Durban side has lost three of their last five league matches.

They also exited the Nedbank Cup this past weekend, going down on penalties after a draw with Highlands Park.

Usuthu have claimed just six points from eight away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 3-2 loss at Polokwane City in early January.

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and AmaZulu have met in 56 league matches since 1985. The Brazilians have claimed 36 wins compared to seven for Usuthu, while 13 matches have been drawn. The Tshwane side has won 16 of their 27 home matches in the rivalry, suffering five defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at King Zwelithini Stadium in mid-September 2018, they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw. The last three league matches between the Brazilians and Usuthu have produced 13 goals.

Previous league line-ups

Sundowns’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Highlands on January 22: Onyango, Langerman, Lebusa, Nascimento, Ngcongca, Kekana, Mabunda, Zwane (Madisha 86'), Laffor (Lakay 52'), Morena (Malajila 89'), Maboe.

AmaZulu’s line-up from their 3-2 loss to Chiefs on January 16: Mbatha, M.Gumede, Mabaliso, Van Heerden, Nyongo, Morton (Ramphela 81'), Vilakazi, Sithebe, Karuru (Ncobeni 73'), Tade, Ntuli (Cele 85').

Head-to-Head

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2011/12 AmaZulu 0-1 Sundowns Mokoro (og)

2012/13 Sundowns 1-1 AmaZulu Laffor; Khumalo

2012/13 AmaZulu 0-0 Sundowns

2013/14 Sundowns 7-1 AmaZulu Kekana, Malajila, Mashego 2, Wome, Mphela 2; Ngcobo (pen)

2013/14 AmaZulu 0-2 Sundowns Moriri, Modise

2014/15 Sundowns 2-0 AmaZulu Malajila 2

2014/15 AmaZulu 0-1 Sundowns Malajila

2017/18 Sundowns 1-2 AmaZulu Sekotlong; Nomvethe, Khenyeza

2017/18 AmaZulu 1-3 Sundowns M. Cele; Nascimento (pen), Vilakazi 2

2018/19 AmaZulu 3-3 Sundowns Ncube, Ncobeni, Ntuli; Mahlambi, Silva, Vilakazi

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 27 16 6 5 58 24

AmaZulu 29 2 7 20 16 50

Away

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 29 20 7 2 50 16

AmaZulu 27 5 6 16 24 58

Total

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 56 36 13 7 108 40

AmaZulu 56 7 13 36 40 108

What the teams are saying

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane

“You’ve got to give credit, accept, move on,” said Mosimane after the shock loss to Chippa. “These things happen. We’ve got the league on Tuesday.

“We’ve got games in hand that we have to finish and then on Friday we are playing the top team from Abidjan [ASEC Mimosas in the CAF Champions League].

“We have to win, it’s a must-win. It’s like Wydad, it’s a must-win. Tuesday is a must-win. Friday is a must-win.”

AmaZulu coach Cavin Johnson

“There are teams who have won one game in 18 this season. There are few clubs in the world that have won one game,” said Johnson in regards to his team’s survival prospects.

“So, I’m not worried. I’m a football man. Is my team playing football? Yes. I think they are good players. I believe we can come out of it (the slump).

“We haven’t lost the world as yet and there are still 12 games left. They came out it, they have done it before and they have to do it again.”

Mamelodi Sundowns key players

Gaston Sirino – The Uruguayan put in a solid showing against Chippa on the weekend, providing a great ball to set-up Phakamani Mahlambi’s goal. He will hope to be an influential presence against AmaZulu on Tuesday.

Denis Onyango – The Ugandan goalkeeper had a rare poor game against Chippa United in the Nedbank Cup and was arguably at fault in both goals his side conceded. The gloves-man will be determined to put things right against Usuthu at Loftus Versfeld.

AmaZulu key players

Emiliano Tade – Seven goals and two assists this season has seen Argentine forward Emiliano Tade earn plaudits and attract attention from other Absa Premiership clubs, one of which is reportedly Sundowns. The player may see this clash against the Brazilians as a chance to earn a move to Chloorkop.

Nhlanhla Vilakazi – The AmaZulu captain will be a key man in the engine room, with Sundowns possibly short of options in the middle of the park after Andile Jali picked up an injury over the weekend. Vilakazi will look to lead his side to a positive result in Tshwane.

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