Preview: Mamelodi Sundowns vs SuperSport United

Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United will renew their rivalry when they battle for a place in the final of the 2019 MTN8 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Tshwane giants are set to meet in the second leg of their semi-final clash after playing out to a 1-1 draw at the same venue on 1 September in the first leg.

Thamsanqa Gabuza opened the scoring for Matsatsantsa before Gaston Sirino equalised two minutes later to ensure the Brazilians head into their return leg with an away goal.

Sundowns will head into this encounter high in confidence after securing a comfortable 5-0 victory over Seychelles side Côte d’Or in the Caf Champions League over the weekend.

Meanwhile, SuperSport played out to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cape Town City in their previous league encounter on Saturday.

Ahead of the third instalment of the Tshwane derby, Brazilians head coach Pitso Mosimane is hoping his side can carry their appetite for goals into the fixture. He told the media:

‘I know we scored five goals this past weekend and we scored four a few weeks back. But my concern is that we’re not scoring enough in domestic competitions.

‘Our attack, I wouldn’t say is blunt, but we don’t have enough ammunition. We have had many injuries.

‘Nothing much will change from the first leg. Same stadium. Same pitch. Same opposition. The only difference is the change room.’

Mosimane continued: ‘They play to their strength, they play nearly like Bidvest Wits sometimes. We need to manage throw-ins, set pieces. We have to manage their strengths, but we have strengths that we know they struggle to manage.

‘If I had those gladiators I would also play like [SuperSport United coach] Kaitano [Tembo], why not.’

Meanwhile, SuperSport coach Kaitano Tembo says he is pleased with the way his side has progressed over the last month since losing their opening game of the season to rivals Sundowns.

‘We knew that it was always going to be a difficult game, playing against a very good team. We got out of the blocks well, managed the game well and dominated the game very well, in terms of pressing, and we kept possession and got into good areas.

‘Especially Evans [Rusike], [Thamsanqa] Gabuza and Bradley [Grobler]. They caused a lot of havoc, turning their defence. They are not comfortable when you do that.

‘I’m happy with the overall performance of the guys, they played well. If you look at where we are now from where we played our first game of the season, there has been a big improvement.’