Mamelodi Sundowns will be without a host of star names when they meet TS Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the Carling Knockout Cup at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday (19:30), but coach Sead Ramovic says the Tshwane giants still possess huge quality in their arsenal.
Sundowns are sure to be without Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba as they were part of the Bafana Bafana squad that held Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match in Abidjan on Tuesday.
Mokoena, who is the reigning PSL Footballer of the Season, was not going to feature anyway as he is suspended for this game.
However, star striker Peter Shalulile did not travel with his country Namibia as they have no matches in this FIFA break even though they qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast next year, and could return to action after being taken off when Sundowns lost the MTN8 final to Orlando Pirates on penalties.
Ramovic, though, insisted his side will focus on themselves instead of worrying which players Rulani Mokwena will field.
“We don’t spend so much time on this one; we spend a lot of time to improve our game, to improve our players,” Ramovic told iDiski Times.
This match was brought forward by the PSL rather than be played over this coming weekend due to Sundowns set to participate in the African Football League (AFL) away against Pedro de Luanda.
“We know the squad of Sundowns is top one – all of their players are top. Of course without a doubt the players that are not there are also top – and players who have not had so much game-time they are also top in this squad,” continued Ramovic.
“That’s why we don’t spend so much time at all on who will play or not, because we know Sundowns is the benchmark in our league without a doubt. They also have a fantastic coach who can also improve any player and this is what we know.
“But we have spent time, like I said, to improve our players, like we did in the last two years. We are trying to improve that one day we will fight for the top spot also.”
Last season, when Sundowns won the league title with seven games to spare, Galaxy, along with SuperSport United, were the only two to beat them in the league.
But Ramovic admits even that won’t count at Mbombela Stadium, as his side enter the game having not won in the last five league matches, leaving them lying 12th in the DStv Premiership table with nine points after eight matches.
“You cannot compare us with Sundowns,” said Ramovic.
“How long have we been in the top league? I think it is the third season and how long is Sundowns? How much do Sundowns have in terms of financial power? You cannot compare us with them.
“Of course we are not at our best but we are preparing, trying to improve every day. We are trying to build something for the future.”
