Mamelodi Sundowns will have to show huge improvement if they are to keep their 100% winning record in the Premier Soccer League.
The Brazilians will face improving Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon. Kick-off is at 5pm.
As expected, Sundowns are topping the league after two victories against Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs.
The defending league champions have not been as convincing as they have in the last couple of seasons, but they will be encouraged by the fact that even though they are not playing to the best of their ability, they are still notching up victories.
Abafana Be’sthende opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory in the KwaZulu-Natal derby against Richards Bay.
They then drew 1-1 against Moroka Swallows and will be looking to get back to winning ways. They currently sit on position four with the same number of points.
Sundowns seem to have found rare gems in Thapelo Maseko and Ribeiro Costa, who seem to have walked straight into the starting line-up.
The duo will be expected to give the Arrows backline a torrid time.
They played a key part when Sundowns huffed and puffed against a 10-men Swallows in the quarter-finals of the MTN8 on Saturday.
But coach Rulani Mokwena had special praise for two players – Themba Zwane and Marcello Allende.
“Marcelo Allende consistently enhances the team’s all-round performance,” Mokwena told the Sundowns media team.
“While I am proud of players like Tebza [Teboho Mokoena], Aubrey Modiba, Mshishi [Zwane] and Lucas Ribeiro Costa for their performances, it was Marcelo who consistently lifted the level of play.
“I admire the fluidity of his ball movement and his knack for finding those subtle pockets of space while disrupting the movements of opponents. We are indeed fortunate to have such an intelligent footballer at our club.
“Having him alongside other exciting and intelligent players is a privilege, as it is a case of iron sharpening iron.”
Mokwena explained further: “As for Mshishi, he continues to display his intelligence and I am not surprised.
“I have mentioned this many times – South Africa will face difficulty in producing another player like Themba Zwane.
“He is a unique prototype and a space navigator in the middle of the pitch. His body movements are dynamic and we are witnessing a player whose sense of awareness is top-notch.
“No matter whom he plays with, he finds a way to make those around him click. Only intelligent players can achieve that.”
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