Downs chase another three points v Polokwane

Mamelodi Sundowns will chase another three-point haul in a catch-up Absa Premiership match when they host Polokwane City at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 19 February 2019.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT.

Sundowns return to winning form in the league when they defeated Black Leopards 3-0 at home on February 6. The victory was secured by a first-half strike from Lebohang Maboe, an own goal from Khomotso Masia and a late penalty from Ricardo Nascimento.

Their most recent outing was last midweek, when they played to a goalless draw away to Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas in the CAF Champions League.

The Brazilians have claimed 14 points from nine home matches this season, though their only defeat this season came as hosts against AmaZulu late last month.

Polokwane suffered their first league defeat of 2019 when they were beaten 3-1 at bottom-of-the-log Maritzburg United on February 8. The Limpopo side has now won just once in their last five Premiership matches.

Rise and Shine have claimed 12 points from eight away matches this season. Their defeat in Pietermaritzburg was just a second loss on the road in 2018/19.

In head-to-head stats, Polokwane and Sundowns have met in 11 league matches since 2013/14. The Brazilians have claimed six wins compared to three for Rise and Shine, while two games have been drawn. The Tshwane side has recorded two wins from their five matches as hosts in the rivalry, suffering one defeat in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, Sundowns claimed a 2-0 win in Polokwane thanks to goals from Ricardo Nascimento and Lebohang Maboe. Four of the teams’ last six meetings have produced an away win.

Previous league line-up:

Sundowns’ line-up from their 3-0 win over Leopards on February 6: Mweene, Morena, Nascimento, Arendse, Lakay, Laffor (Ngcongca 62’), Kekana, Mabunda, Zwane, Sirino (Tade 89’), Maboe (Mahlambi 71’).

Polokwane’s line-up from their 3-1 loss to Maritzburg on February 8: Chigova, Nkili, Mbonani, Hlongwane, Kalake (Musona 80'), W. Maluleke (Mashumba 38'), Seabi, Phiri (Mphambaniso 80'), J. Maluleke, Anas, Booi.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2013/14 Sundowns 1-0 Polokwane Modise
2014/15 Polokwane 0-3 Sundowns Malajila, Zwane, Modise
2014/15 Sundowns 5-0 Polokwane Malajila, Laffor, Billiat 2, Ramagalela
2015/16 Sundowns 0-0 Polokwane
2015/16 Polokwane 1-3 Sundowns Mncwango; Castro 2, Dolly
2016/17 Polokwane 0-2 Sundowns Tau, Billiat
2016/17 Sundowns 0-0 Polokwane
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

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2013/14)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 5 2 2 1 7 2
Polokwane 6 2 0 4 5 12

Away

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 6 4 0 2 12 5
Polokwane 5 1 2 2 2 7

Total

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 11 6 2 3 19 7
Polokwane 11 3 2 6 7 19

What the teams are saying

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane;

“I asked the players why we could not properly make use of the opportunity on counter attack because ASEC was desperate,” said Mosimane after their match in Abidjan.

“They complain about the surface of the pitch because when they go out the ball bounces and you are running at high speed. I think the pitch does not help ASEC, because ASEC is technical, they pass very good, so the pitch is not helping ASEC. So it’s very difficult.”

Polokwane City coach Josef Vukusic;

“What I know is that all that’s in the media is not all the truth on the matter,” said Vukusic in regards to City’s ongoing wrangle with Rodney Ramagalela, who has been left out in the cold after agreeing to join Highlands Park at the end of the season

“These questions the media ask are not for me to answer, I only deal with the players at training and in the game. This issue is out of my control.”

Mamelodi Sundowns key players

Lebohang Maboe – The versatile attacker has become a key man for Mamelodi Sundowns in recent weeks, but he needs to sharpen up his finishing to truly cement his place in the side. Maboe will hope he can find the back of the net when Rise and Shine come to Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday evening.

Themba Zwane – One of the unsung heroes of the Sundowns team, Themba Zwane has garnered more attention of late due to his excellent performances and knack for important goals. The Brazilians will hope he can continue in his current vein of form and lead them to three points against Polokwane City.

Polokwane City key players

Jabulani Maluleke – The veteran continues to be one of Polokwane City’s top-performing players and remains an example of excellence for his teammates to follow. The 36-year-old will be aiming to have a major influence on this match against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mohammed Anas – With Rodney Ramagalela seemingly banished from the first team due to his agreeing a deal to join Highlands Park, Polokwane will hope Mohammed Anas steps up his game and becomes the reliable goal scorer that ‘RamaG’ was for the past couple of seasons.