On Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to book their place in the Nedbank Cup finals. SoccerClub picks three Downs players who could fire them past Bidvest Wits.
Pitso Mosimane’s side will resume their 2019-20 campaign when they square off against Gavin Hunt’s men in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
The two sides last met in the Absa Premiership, where they played out to a goalless draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 7 January.
However, this will be the third time Sundowns and Wits meet this season, having had two stalemates in their previous meetings.
These three Sundowns players could prove pivotal for their place in the final:
1) Themba Zwane
The 31-year-old is one of the most technically-gifted players in South Africa and versatile enough to play on the wing or in a central attacking position.
Zwane, who joined Sundowns from Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2014, has established himself as one of the best attackers in the Sundowns squad and is one of the first names on coach Pitso Mosimane’s teamsheet.
The Bafana Bafana international has already bagged 12 goals and assisted a further eight from 30 appearances across all competitions for the Brazilians so far this season.
2) Mauricio Affonso
The lanky Uruguayan striker has finally found his feet at Masadawana after an injury-hit start at Chloorkop, which has kept him from making his debut in the Nedbank Cup.
Affonso is still largely unknown in South African football and will prove a threat to the Wits backline on Saturday with his aerial prowess and strength.
Affonso has already managed to find the back of the net on six occasions from 14 appearances in all competitions.
3) Denis Onyango
The Ugandan shotstopper is one of the continent’s best goalkeepers, which will prove vital against the Clever Boys and for their hopes of reaching the final.
Onyango will be raring to go come kick-off on Saturday following the Covid-19-enforced suspension of all SA football since mid-March.
The Kampala-born keeper has managed to keep 14 clean sheets from 33 outings for Sundowns this season and has played in all but eight matches for the club during the 2019-20 season.
