Sundowns aim to draw level with Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to draw level on points with Absa Premiership leaders Orlando Pirates by defeating Chippa United in a match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.

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Sundowns closed to within three points of the top of the log when they defeated Baroka FC 2-1 away from home on April 20, thanks to goals from Ricardo Nascimento and Themba Zwane.

A win would see them draw level with Pirates, who are in action on Wednesday evening and have a tricky match away to relegation-threatened Maritzburg United.

The Brazilians have claimed 19 points from 13 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-0 loss at the hands of SuperSport United in mid-April.

Chippa suffered their 12th defeat of the league season when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Bidvest Wits on April 12. The Eastern Cape side has won just once in their last six league outings.

This past weekend they suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup.

The Chilli Boys have claimed 11 points from 13 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-0 win at AmaZulu in early April.

In head-to-head stats, Chippa and Sundowns have met in 11 league matches since 2012/13. The Brazilians boast an unbeaten record in the sequence, with six wins and five draws recorded. The Tshwane side has recorded four wins and one draw from their five games as hosts.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in October 2018, Sundowns won 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Gaston Sirino. The teams’ last five league meetings have produced just five goals.

Previous line-ups

Sundowns’ line-up from their 2-1 win over Baroka on April 20: Mweene, Langerman, Nascimento, Lebusa, Ngcongca, Mabunda (Coetzee 71'), Kekana (Manyisa 79'), Zwane (Lakay 90'+3), Vilakazi, Maboe, Morena.

Chippa’s line-up from their 1-0 loss to Wits on April 12: Mzimela, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Shitolo, Tlolane, Lentjies, Komane, Rakhale, Mayambela (Malepe 65'), Mbenyane (Gamildien 77'), R.Manzini (L.Manzini 65').

What the teams are saying

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane

“We found our rhythm that we didn’t have against SuperSport United [in a 2-0 loss earlier this month]. We found our triangles, our passing paths,” said Mosimane, who side racked up a 2-1 win over Baroka to keep up their title hopes.

“To be honest we dominated from the start, but these kind of games can come back to bit you.”

Chippa United coach Clinton Larsen

“Taking in to consideration the situation of the club at the moment, we definitely punched above our weight,” said Larsen, who saw his side exit the Nedbank Cup at the weekend after losing 4-2 to Kaizer Chiefs in the semifinals.

He added, “We've drawn a lot of confidence from the performances we've been putting together so we're confident of doing well in our remaining games."

Mamelodi Sundowns key players

Themba Zwane – A fine performance in midfield was capped by the winning goal against Baroka FC, and Themba Zwane will be expected to keep up this kind of level as Sundowns look to regain momentum in the final weeks of the league season.

Oupa Manyisa – With Sundowns facing a tight schedule over the next couple of weeks (as they have for most of the season!) coach Pitso Mosimane may be tempted to give Oupa Manyisa a start ahead of his team’s trip to Morocco for a CAF Champions League showdown with Wydad Casablanca.

Chippa United key players

Frederic Nsabiyumva – The Burundian centre-back famously scored a late goal to see Chippa defeat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup back in January, but his job this time around will be focused on keeping the Brazilians’ attackers under wraps.

Tercious Malepe – The young midfielder will have his work cut out for him in this match, as he is set to face the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Themba Zwane, Tiyani Mabunda and Oupa Manyisa in the engine room. Yet Malepe should relish the challenge and will do all he can to aid Chippa’s survival ambitions.