Royal AM coach John Maduka is salivating at facing all-conquering Mamelodi Sundowns in the DStv Premiership at Loftus Stadium at 19:30 tonight, saying the game is coming at the right time when his side’s confidence is up.
Even though Sundowns crushed Al Ahly 5-2 at the same venue to become the first ever side in Africa to score five times against last season’s finalists on two separate occasions, and yet again denying the Egyptians to win on SA soil in the CAF premier’s club competition for a 14th time.
Sundowns, because they have a better head-to-head with Ahly, qualified for the knockout stages with two games to spare, joining Moroccan giants side Raja Casablanca.
Because so much preparation was done ahead of the win over Ahly, Sundowns are set to rotate the squad and give others a chance when they host Maduka’s side, who they have defeated in the last four matches in all competitions.
Maduka, though, fancies his side can put up a good fight against the run-away leaders in the DStv Premiership after knocking Golden Arrows out of the Nedbank Cup last weekend.
He insisted that Sundowns are coming at the right time because since he was appointed as Royal AM coach in February, the club has yet to suffer a loss in five matches in charge in all competitions.
“I think it is a good time to be facing Sundowns, a very good team Sundowns and we know it’s going to be a very difficult team to play against,” said Maduka when asked by iDiski Times.
“They know what we are capable of, they don’t take us lightly and we know that they will also prepare the game very well.
“But I think it is the right time to play against Sundowns because the confidence of the players is high and there is a belief that we can win the games. We have played so many matches without a loss now, and that is motivation enough going to Sundowns game.”
Meanwhile, Sundowns have won their last eight home matches in a row and they have scored the opening goal of the game in their last 18 games.
On the other hand, Royal AM have drawn their last three away matches in a row and have won just one of their last five PSL away games.
Royal AM will play this game without Philani Cele, who was red carded in the win over Arrows on Saturday.
