Mamelodi Sundowns can extend their winning run to three matches when they host Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final on Tuesday. The match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a direct route to the semi-finals and a vital step before Sunday's CAF Super Cup clash with USM Alger. The team's league form is formidable, having taken 26 points from their first ten games with eight wins and two draws, scoring 27 goals and conceding only nine.
Miguel Cardoso, the Sundowns coach, has identified key areas for improvement despite the team's strong domestic form. The side sits first in the Premier Soccer League standings with 26 points from ten unbeaten games, holding a one-point lead over Orlando Pirates. Their recent form reads three wins and two draws from the last five outings, including a 4-1 victory over Durban City last weekend. That win saw goals from Thabang Matuludi, Iqraam Rayners, and Antonio Van Wyk, with Rayners the team's top scorer this season with four goals.
The team enters this cup tie on the back of consecutive 1-0 and 4-1 wins over Marumo Gallants and Durban City, scoring five goals and conceding just one. A key absence remains goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, whose availability is unclear, but the squad has shown resilience without him. Players are returning from injury, which Cardoso believes will make the group stronger. "We need energy from the fans and commitment from everyone," the coach said, emphasising the team's responsibility ahead of the upcoming FIFA break.
Golden Arrows advanced by thrashing Chippa United 4-0 in their first match under coach Mandla Ncikazi. This season, the sides have met three times: Arrows won the MTN8 semi-final first leg 1-0, Sundowns won the second leg 3-2 to advance on away goals, and Sundowns won 2-1 in a September league meeting. The cup tie offers Sundowns a chance to solidify local dominance after their shock CAF Champions League exit last month, with no further continental travel disruptions.
Following Tuesday's cup match, Sundowns' next assignment is the CAF Super Cup on Sunday. A win against Arrows would secure a semi-final place and maintain momentum ahead of a critical continental showdown. The fixture list shows Sundowns will then face Orlando Pirates in the league after the international break, making this a key period for the club. Their next league fixture after that is away to ninth-placed Kruger United on Saturday 28 November.
The report in full is at vodacomsoccer.com
