Mamelodi Sundowns and Mpheni Home Defenders have confirmed their starting line-ups ahead of this afternoon’s Nedbank Cup last 16 tie at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane.
The Brazilians are looking to bounce back from a shock 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership which saw them lose their second league match of the campaign though they still hold the advantage at the top of the standings.
Last season’s runners-up are out to avoid a cup upset with Defenders one of only two sides (Durban City being the other) still in the competition that does not campaign in top-flight football.
Miguel Cardoso has vowed to ensure that his troops stay in all competitions they partake in and will be looking to join the likes of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs who sealed passage into the last eight on Saturday.
The Limpopo-based club, hailing from Elim, make their second appearance in the Ke Yona tournament having reached this stage of the competition back in 2022, but fell to Chippa United.
Home Defenders on the other hand are motivated to upset one of Africa’s football giants with Club chairman and head coach Vhutshilo Phuravhathu emphasising that they need no motivation for this afternoon’s match-up.
“Already they are motivated that they are playing against Mamelodi Sundowns, they are also motivated by the fact that it’s the only game on Sunday and that we [could be] the only team from the lower leagues to beat Sundowns in their history,” he said.
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Here’s the line-ups for both teams:
Sundowns Starting XI: 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗫𝗜:
Onyango (c), Aubaas, Lebusa, Khoza, Kodisang, Mkhulise, Tiwani, Esquivel, Mashego, Matthews, Sales
Subs: Pieterse, Cupido, Johannes, Mokoena, Adams, Ribeiro, Lelhaku, Maseko, Shalulile.
Defenders Starting XI: Thompson, Matumba, Magubane, Benside, Nyundu, Matlabe, Maluleke, Munyadziwa, Buasi, Hlungwane, Mulaudzi
Subs: Mngomezulu, Matumba, Ndou, Nkabinde, Nemutandani, Makua, Mokgopo, Shilenge, Mbau
