They face the marauding SuperSport in the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, 05 November.
Matsantsa made history after walloping Orlando Pirates 6-1 this past week during the PSL clash, resulting in resigning of coach Muhsin Ertugal. Ouch…
Therefore, they go into this game fully aware they will outclass their neighbours complemented by high class performance that has been installed by former Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter.
It’s no open secret that SS has been performing badly until recently.
As for current league champs’ Downs that surprisingly lost against Cape Town City last weekend in a league clash, they will have to bounce back and reclaim their top form.
Yes, fatigue and injuries to players who know nothing about resting but with such a huge capable squad coach Pitso “Jingles” Mosimane and his technical team would have to conjure a winning plan.
Said Jingles:”It’s going to be a totally different ball game on Saturday, it’s the Tshwane derby and both teams will want to win it.”
“I have unfolded a can of worms by dropping other players to give others a chance to play.”
“The goals are flowing so we need to be very careful against SuperSport United.”
We’re all human beings, coach Baxter is right and I know it myself that after a big win, it is the most dangerous time for a team.
“The game against Cape Town City FC humbled us and I spoke to the players”.
The two meet –up in a cup clash for the second time this season.
They met in the quarterfinals of the MTN8 back in August, with Sundowns claiming a 3-1 home victory. It was the Brazilians’ third successive cup win over United and an eighth in 13 such matches between the teams down the years.
This will also be the second successive season that the teams are meeting in the TKO, with ‘Downs defeating Matsatsantsa 3-1 in the semifinals of last year’s competition. Mosimane’s side went on to claim the trophy after defeating Kaizer Chiefs in the final.
It was Sundowns’ third League Cup trophy and a first since 1999. As for SuperSport, they won their only Telkom Knockout trophy in 2014, making this match a clash of the last two champions of the TKO.
In all competitions, the teams have met no less than 63 times since 1990 and ‘Downs hold a clear advantage in the head-to-head history: 33 wins compared to 19 losses and 97 goals scored to 72 conceded.
The Brazilians have truly dominated their Tshwane rivals in recent years: including the 3-1 win in the MTN8 earlier this season, ‘Downs have won the last seven consecutive matches across all competitions against SuperSport.
Sundowns owe their place in the quarterfinals to a 2-0 home win over Polokwane City in the previous round, while United beat Ajax Cape Town 1-0 at home after extra time.
In terms of current form, ‘Downs have had mixed results since qualifying for the last eight of the TKO, losing at home to Cape Town City on the weekend before beating Polokwane City again – this time 2-0 away from home in midweek.
“I don’t think it’s fair to compare the two derbies. The Soweto derby is hyped and it gets to the players.”
“This is a derby and it’s for the players to say we have improved and let’s move past the game against Orlando Pirates.”
“I think after our last game, it’s difficult to keep everyone’s feet on the ground.”
“I have had individual meetings with some of the players as well as a general meeting with the whole team,” said Baxter, at the joint press brief.
SuperSport, meanwhile, have beaten Ajax Cape Town (2-0) and Orlando Pirates (6-1) to bring their winning streak to four matches across all competitions.
The game kicks off at 18: 00. Tickets R60 (adults) and R15 (Children under the age of 12)
Other TKO quarters:
Saturday: 05 Nov
Baroka FC vs Cape Town City, Peter Mokaba Stadium, 15h00
*Ticket Categories: R40 (adults) and R15 (Children under the age of 12)
Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park, Orlando Stadium, 20h30
*Ticket Categories: R60 (adults) and R15 (Children under the age of 12)
Sunday, 06
Kaizer Chiefs vs Free State Stars, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 15h00
*Ticket Categories: R60 (adults) and R15 (Children under the age of 12)
