The Mamelodi Sundowns team is preparing for the decisive first match of the MTN8 semi-final against Golden Arrows, aiming to transform their league success into a cup victory.
The first match will take place on Sunday at 15:00 at the Lucas Moriphi Stadium. The 'Brazilians' team enters the confrontation in good spirits after defeating 'Marumo Gallants' mid-week. In turn, 'Arrows' shows confidence after 'Kaiser Chiefs' was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
However, this tournament represents an unfinished business for 'Sundowns'. Although the team has consistently dominated the league and won the second CAF Champions League title last season, MTN8 has been largely inaccessible to them. They have only won this trophy once since its rebranding in 2008, specifically in 2021.
Therefore, Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso urged his players to approach this competition differently this season. He also warned against underestimating the 'Arrows' team, which has already shown the ability to handle playoff football. 'We have great respect for our opponent,' Cardoso stated before the match, emphasizing that Sundowns' goal is to win the first leg and secure a strong position before the return fixture.
The victory will not be easy. Pitso Dladla made an immediate impact after taking over 'Arrows' at the start of the season, replacing Mankobua Mngkiti. His team demonstrated defensive resilience against 'Chiefs', winning 1-0 at the FNB Stadium to reach the quarter-final final. Furthermore, 'Arrows' started its league season with three consecutive 0-0 draws, highlighting how difficult they are to break down.
This could make the first match an exciting tactical battle. Sundowns is expected to dominate possession and try to stretch the defense of Arrows, which concedes very few goals. At the same time, Dladla's team will likely aim to remain compact and utilize counter-attacking opportunities.
'Brazilians' will also face the absence of Khuliso Mudau, who suffered a serious Achilles injury during the game against 'Gallants' and is expected to miss at least six months. Nevertheless, Sundowns maintains significant attacking quality, among whose players Cassius Mailula showed a strong start to the campaign after scoring a goal against 'Gallants'. For Arrows, the task is simple: stay in the tournament. And for Sundowns, any result worse than an advantage in the first match could significantly complicate the trip to Durban. Since the MTN8 spot in the final is at stake, Cardoso hopes his team can finally turn its continental and championship superiority into success in a tournament that has repeatedly disappointed them.