After a convincing 4-0 drubbing of Mbabane Swallows, Mamelodi Sundowns will face a tougher test in their opening game of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
Tshwane Derby
The defending champions were at the peak of their powers against Swallows in the Caf Champions League group stage qualifier, more impressively so after a number of their key players were rested in anticipation for the Tshwane Derby against SuperSport United.
United players will have to do without Gavin Hunt, who won’t be available to bark instructions from the dugout as he serves the first of his two-match ban.
Hunt was shown a straight red card in the MTN8 quarter-final against Orlando Pirates. Assistant coach Andre Arendse, together with goalkeeper trainer Grant Johnson will take charge of the team in their bid to get one over Masandawana for the first time in four attempts.
How to watch
The match will be aired on SuperSport channel 202 and will also be available on streaming service Showmax. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 and the build-up to the match will start half an hour before.
READ: SuperSport United midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu wants to improve his stats in goal contribution
Loftus Versfeld
Located in the capital city, Sundowns’ Loftus Versfeld Stadium accommodates a little over 50,000 spectators. This is Masandawana’s stronghold as they won 13 of their 15 league home games last season. Downs share their home stadium with a rugby outfit Blue Bulls.
This 2010 Fifa World Cup arena holds the status of being the only stadium to host a presidential inauguration, as South African statesman Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in first his first term in 2019.
Loftus has hosted various high-profile games including the 2023 African Football League final, a couple of Currie Cup finals and the 2009 Fifa Confederation Cup.
What was said
Sundowns versatile player, Aubrey Modiba has been on both sides of the fence, and going up against his former side is an opportunity he always relishes.
“It is about bragging rights in Pretoria, I’ve managed to be on both sides and I am always looking forward to that game. They have not played in a long time but that does not count.
“At the end of the day, derbies are different and they are special. We are going to put up a fight and try by all means to get maximum points. What I like about the derby is that there are always goals,” Modiba told Sundowns media.
Meanwhile, SuperSport’s Ricardo Goss, who is on loan from Sundowns, will be allowed to play against his parent team for the first time since spending the last two seasons at Matsatsantsa A Pitori.
“It has been a tough five weeks after the loss against Pirates, the team has been preparing well and we have been playing a lot of friendlies to have minutes on the legs. We are doing good and I think we are ready for the game.
“In the previous seasons I have not played against Sundowns and I hope we can start the season with a clean sheet because I pride myself on that,” Goss told SuperSport media.
Sundowns legends Katlego Mashego & Hlompho Kekana zoom into Tshwane Derby
Players to watch
Lucas Ribeiro recently opened his scoring account for Sundowns this season with a brace in a 4-0 win over Mbabane Swallows during a Caf Champions League group stage qualifier.
Spotting the No.10 jersey this term, Ribeiro is expected to be the lone talisman in the star-studded team. The last time he played against SuperSport, Ribeiro found the back of the net in a 2-0 win.
In the opposing camp, SuperSport do not have the luxury of selecting from a galaxy of stars, as the technical team will have to heavily rely on the experience of players like Vincent Pule and Terrence Dzvukamanja.
Both these former Orlando Pirates players are accustomed to the big stage, having featured in the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on several occasions. Their know-how and big-match temperament will come in handy to aid United’s bid for Tshwane bragging rights.
Former SuperSport striker Iqraam Rayners also found the back of the net against Swallows, and if selected, this will present an opportunity to have a run out against the side he relatively struggled to hit top form in three seasons.
Head to head
12 Mar 2024: Mamelodi Sundowns 1 – 1 SuperSport United
29 Nov 2023: SuperSport United 0 – 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
16 Jan 2023: Mamelodi Sundowns 1 – 0 SuperSport United
02 Sep 2022: SuperSport United 2 – 1 Mamelodi Sundowns
28 Feb 2022: Mamelodi Sundowns 2 – 0 SuperSport United
Betting odds
Sundowns go into the tie as overwhelming favourites, given their dominance in this fixture for the better part of a decade.
The defending champions would want to set foot towards the direction of extending their record-winning tally of 73 points achieved last season.
However, Matsatsantsa also want to get off to a good start in their pursuit for a fourth league crown in their history. Being a Tshwane Derby, the stakes are high, and you can place your bet on this tie here.
5/10 Sundowns | 28/10 Draw | 56/10 SuperSport
Sundowns
GOALKEEPER: Ronwen Williams
DEFENDERS: Khuliso Mudau, Mosa Lebusa, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba
MIDFIELDERS: Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Themba Zwane
FORWARDS: Lucas Ribeiro, Arthur Sales, Peter Shalulile
SuperSport
GOALKEEPER: Ricardo Goss
DEFENDERS: Nyiko Mobbie, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Pogiso Sanoka, Lyle Lakay,
MIDFIELDERS: Siphesihle Ndlovu, Grant Margeman, Gape Moralo
FORWARDS: Terrence Dzvukamanja, Vincent Pule, Gamphani Lungu
Up Next - Our #BetwayPremiership opener under the lights in Tshwane! 👆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) September 16, 2024
⚽ Mamelodi Sundowns vs SuperSport United
📅 17 September
⏰ 19H30
🏟 Loftus Versfeld Stadium
🎟 https://t.co/SnkX1ZQsBL
📺 SS202#Sundowns #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/Vo6nWq2m37
