Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stellenbosch will begin their fight for a spot in the lucrative MTN8 final in the first leg of the two-legged semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 19:00. Stellies aim to build on their successes from the previous season where they won their first major trophy in the top tier, the Carling Knockout, and finished third on the league table behind Mamelodi Sundowns fc and Orlando Pirates.
Even though Masandawana claimed the league title for the seventh consecutive time and won the African Football League they however suffered heartbreak twice finishing as runners-up in the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup last season, they will not want a repeat of this misfortune. Mamelodi Sundowns fc are missing some key players in goalkeepers Denis Onyango and Ronwen Williams. Onyango is serving a two-match suspension after he was red-carded in the quarter-final clash against Polokwane City.
First-choice goalkeeper and Bafana Bafana skipper Williams is currently recovering after undergoing surgery. Mamelodi Sundowns fc coach Manqoba Mngqithi won’t be able to pick new signing striker Iqraam Rayners as the forward is cup-tied having played for Stellenbosch in the MTN tournament quarter-finals this season.
Stellies have lost two players since the quarter-finals as former skipper and full-back Deano van Rooyen has also left to join Orlando Pirates. While Mamelodi Sundowns fc struggled against Polokwane in the last eight, Stellenbosch appeared to be in great form, sweeping aside TS Galaxy in the quarterfinals of the MTN 8 and Nsingizini Hotspur of eSwatini in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Considering that Mamelodi Sundowns fc is missing their 2 goalkeepers, Steve Barker’s troops will take heart from that, knowing that they can find the net, especially after scoring eight times in their last two fixtures.
Key Stat:
Four of the last five matches between the two teams had both teams scoring
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