After their shock Nedbank Cup exit, Mamelodi Sundowns head to Durban on Tuesday to face a flying AmaZulu side. With the title race on a knife-edge, can Miguel Cardoso’s men silence the Moses Mabhida crowd? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Following a disappointing end to their Nedbank Cup journey, Mamelodi Sundowns are set to refocus their efforts on the Betway Premiership as they prepare for a challenging encounter against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Tshwane giants were knocked out in the Round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to TS Galaxy, a result that has left them eager for redemption in the league. AmaZulu, on the other hand, carry momentum into this fixture after securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Richards Bay.
As they continue their quest for domestic success, the KwaZulu-Natal side remains a formidable opponent, especially given their recent league form. Sundowns currently sit in second place in the Premiership standings, trailing log-leaders Orlando Pirates by three points but holding a game in hand.
The Brazilians come into this match in a rich vein of form in the league, having maintained a three-match winning streak, winning four and drawing one of their last five encounters. Their recent 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates not only brought them closer to the top but also reinforced their credentials as title favourites.
AmaZulu find themselves in fifth place on the log after their last five league matches yielded three wins and two defeats. However, they are also focused on aspirations for CAF qualification; they currently sit on 30 points after 17 games, just two points behind third-placed Sekhukhune United. A strong performance against Sundowns could significantly boost their chances of achieving this goal.
In the aftermath of their Nedbank Cup exit, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has pointed to individual errors as a significant factor undermining the team’s performance.
“Look, we need to be objectively clear on the analysis; the goals that we suffered had to do with the line-up,” said Cardoso.
“There are individual mistakes that you obviously cannot make. It’s time to go home and rest, and obviously understand who can perform on the level of those matches or not.”
One player who has been shining despite the team’s recent cup struggles is midfielder Jayden Adams. Known for his goal-scoring ability from midfield, Adams will be crucial in applying pressure to the AmaZulu defence. His sharp movements and knack for finding space near the 18-yard area could pose significant challenges for the home side’s backline.
As match day approaches, both teams are aware of the stakes.
For Sundowns, it is an opportunity to bounce back and assert their dominance. Simultaneously, AmaZulu look to leverage their current momentum to climb further up the Premiership standings.
* Herman Gibbs is a senior sports contributor for Independent Media and guest on our football podcast, the D-Line, on our YouTube channel The Clutch