By Michael Madyira
Following a difficult end to last season, Mamelodi Sundowns will be out to avoid being shocked by Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarter-final match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
The Brazilians concluded last term by losing their last Premier Soccer League match to Cape Town City to miss out on the ‘invincibles’ tag.
They then lost the Nedbank Cup final to Orlando Pirates in what was a sad end to their campaign.
Competitive action now resumes for the Brazilians with Polokwane City seeking to cause an upset, something Sundowns’ Manqoba Mngqithi is wary of.
“Coming to our game against Polokwane City, I think it’s going to be a tough one,” Mngqithi told the media.
“It is a big deal for teams like Polokwane City to be in the top eight. That says a lot about our league now. It says there is a lot of competition.”
“A team that had just come from the NFD is now in the PSL and had a very good first round of the season.*
“I also believe that their coach is a very good young coach. It’s going to be interesting because this is a competition that has always been difficult for us.”
Rise and Shine finished eighth last season in their first season on return from the National First Division.
They were under unheralded coach Phuti Mohafe who continues having an average squad.
Experienced midfielder Cole Alexander likes carrying the underdogs tag going into Sunday’s match.
“I think being the underdogs in this fixture is good because it takes pressure off us a bit,” said Alexander.
“We have done well to achieve playing in this prestigious competition. I am sure the whole country thinks it will be a walk in the park for Sundowns, so we can use that as motivation to surprise the country.”
While Masandawana have won the MTN8 four times before, Polokwane City have never lifted it.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
