The defending champions were at the peak of their powers against Swallows in the Caf Champions League group stage qualifier, more impressively so after a number of their key players were rested in anticipation for the Tshwane Derby against SuperSport United.
United players will have to do without Gavin Hunt, who won’t be available to bark instructions from the dugout as he serves the first of his two-match ban.
Hunt was shown a straight red card in the MTN8 quarter-final against Orlando Pirates. Assistant coach Andre Arendse, together with goalkeeper trainer Grant Johnson will take charge of the team in their bid to get one over Masandawana for the first time in four attempts.
The match will be aired on SuperSport channel 202 and will also be available on streaming service Showmax. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 and the build-up to the match will start half an hour before.
Located in the capital city, Sundowns’ Loftus Versfeld Stadium accommodates a little over 50,000 spectators. This is Masandawana’s stronghold as they won 13 of their 15 league home games last season. Downs share their home stadium with a rugby outfit Blue Bulls.
This 2010 Fifa World Cup arena holds the status of being the only stadium to host a presidential inauguration, as South African statesman Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in first his first term in 2019.
Loftus has hosted various high-profile games including the 2023 African Football League final, a couple of Currie Cup finals and the 2009 Fifa Confederation Cup.
Sundowns versatile player, Aubrey Modiba has been on both sides of the fence, and going up against his former side is an opportunity he always relishes.
“It is about bragging rights in Pretoria, I’ve managed to be on both sides and I am always looking forward to that game. They have not played in a long time but that does not count.
“At the end of the day, derbies are different and they are special. We are going to put up a fight and try by all means to get maximum points. What I like about the derby is that there are always goals,” Modiba told Sundowns media.
Meanwhile, SuperSport’s Ricardo Goss, who is on loan from Sundowns, will be allowed to play against his parent team for the first time since spending the last two seasons at Matsatsantsa A Pitori.
“It has been a tough five weeks after the loss against Pirates, the team has been preparing well and we have been playing a lot of friendlies to have minutes on the legs. We are doing good and I think we are ready for the game.
“In the previous seasons I have not played against Sundowns and I hope we can start the season with a clean sheet because I pride myself on that,” Goss told SuperSport media.
