NB La Masia v Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns will kick off their Nedbank Cup campaign with a clash against Motsepe Foundation Championship side NB La Masia at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday.
Sundowns resumed after the AFCON break with a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates on Saturday. The Brazilians will continue to rest the tired Bafana Bafana contingent returning from AFCON.
Downs have drawn three of their last four top-flight fixtures but still lead the DStv Premiership by nine points. The Nedbank Cup’s record goalscorer Peter Shalulile will be looking to improve his strike rate, having found the net nine times in 20 appearances this season which for him is well below his usual standards.
La Masia, coached by Dan Klate, will be playing in their first Nedbank Cup. La Masia are winless in their last four matches and are only four points above the relegation zone in the second tier.
Sundowns boss Rhulani Mokwena has backed Shalulile to regain his goalscoring touch.
“His performances at Afcon and not scoring there, he is carrying it a little bit. But okay, he will overcome that because all very good strikers have very good moments and they have moments where they are not so good,” Mokwena said.
“But what I like about Peter is that his overall game contribution is very good. He still presses, he still makes the movement, and he still assists us with a lot of other things from an offensive and defensive perspective. That’s all you ask the players to do.”
SuperSport United v Cape Town City FC
SuperSport United tackle Cape Town City FC in the pick of the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 action.
SuperSport are level on points with second-placed Cape Town City on the DStv Premiership standings. City are undefeated in nine of their last ten matches, but have a poor record against SuperSport as they are winless in five matches with Matsatsantsa. SuperSport have won the last four meetings including 1-0 at home in August in the league.
Matsatsantsa are in form as they are undefeated in four of their last five. Gavin Hunt’s side have won their last three; a 2-1 PSL victory at Moroka Swallows, before beating Al Hilal 2-1 at home with a fine 3-1 league victory over Orlando Pirates coming next.
Hunt’s side have a shortage of central defenders as Ime Okon and Keagan Allan are both suspended, while Thulani Hlatshwayo is injured. Siyanda Xulu is doubtful after his exertions with Bafana Bafana at AFCON.
City welcome back Taahir Goedeman from suspension, but still have Brice Ambina unavailable in midfield.
The sides have won six matches each of the 19 matches they have played against each other. SuperSport have conceded in all of their last 15 matches; a statistic that will no doubt infuriate defensive-minded coach Hunt.