Mamelodi Sundowns return to Betway Premiership action on Tuesday night when they host Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld in a crucial fixture.
Bafana Ba Style turn their attention back to domestic competition after a commanding 3-0 victory over Stade Malien in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-final.
With their title defence in full swing, Sundowns know that three points against Gallants would see them reclaim top spot in the Premiership standings.
The two sides met earlier this season, playing out a 1-1 draw away from home. Gallants, currently languishing in the relegation zone, will be desperate to upset the champions and boost their survival hopes. Sundowns, however, are determined to avoid any slip-ups as they chase another league crown.
Former Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise, speaking on the Pitchside Podcast, warned that fixtures against struggling teams can be tricky.
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“There’s no guarantee anymore, you need to be able to go onto the field and win your game,” Modise said. “We know the difficulties of playing against teams that are struggling because they tend to be on form on that day. We need to make sure we kill the game early on so that we can go back to the first position.”
Modise stressed the importance of focus and intensity, regardless of Gallants’ approach. “It is a team we cannot take for granted,” he added.
With Sundowns boasting depth and quality across the pitch, coach Miguel Cardoso will expect his side to deliver a commanding performance.
Victory would not only restore their place at the summit but also reinforce their dominance in both domestic and continental competitions.