Sundowns out to build on their lead

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to build their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership when they host Siwelele FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night.

Kick-off at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

FORM AND TEAM NEWS

Sundowns opened a three-point lead over reigning champions Orlando Pirates at the top of the table when they defeated Golden Arrows 2-1 away from home on Sunday – with Teboho Mokoena’s late goal deciding the match, after earlier strikes from Siyanda Ndlovu and Sede Junior Dion.

This also saw coach Miguel Cardoso establish a new PSL record of 27 successive unbeaten home matches.

The Brazilians have racked up four straight league wins and will eye a fifth, knowing that it would open a six-point lead over Pirates (albeit having played two matches more than the champs).

Siwelele, meanwhile, have yet to taste a victory in competitive football this season, with their five league matches producing two draws and three defeats – leaving them in 14th place on the log.

The Bloemfontein side put up a decent fight away to Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday – finding the net via Aphiwe Baliti and Michel N’Guessan – but ultimately they slumped to a 3-2 defeat.

And the club have moved swiftly to address the situation, with Monday bringing news that they have parted ways with head coach Lehlohonolo Seema, as well as assistant coach Willem Jackson.

Godfrey Mosoetsa has taken charge on a caretaker basis.

WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardodo on the character his team had to show to overcome Golden Arrows:

“We had to show character to go back and find two or three moments in the game and have the chance to score from them. We had the chance for Tebz [Mokoena] and he is the man for big moments and gave us the victory. It’s the proof of character, and like I said, character is so important to winning long term.”

Siwelele’s statement after relieving Lehlohonolo Seema of his duties:

“This has been a challenging period for the club, and our supporters deserve better than what they have seen so far this season . Our belief in this team, in our players and in what we are building at Siwelele remains unchanged.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mamelodi Sundowns – Siyanda Ndlovu

The former Golden Arrows winger has put up some impressive performances since joining Sundowns, and he was finally rewarded with his first goal for the club this past weekend. The 22-year-old will hope a second quickly follows the first as the Brazilians chase another win this midweek.

Siwelele FC – Relebogile Mokhuoane

If Siwelele are to come away from Tshwane with anything in the bank, they will need key midfielder Mokhuoane to have a strong game. The 31-year-old brings an outstanding all-round ability to his role in the ‘engine room’, but he’ll have to be at his best to gain control against Sundowns.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sundowns and Siwelele have met in just two previous league matches (both last season): the Brazilians claimed four points thanks to a 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein, followed by a spectacular 7-4 home win in the return game in Tshwane.

The latter clash featured braces for Tashreeq Matthews and Brayan Leon (both Sundowns) as well as a hat-trick for Ghampani Lungu (Siwelele).