Mamelodi Sundowns co head coach Manqoba Mngqithi is expecting a tough game against Gavin Hunt’s Chippa United on Tuesday.
Chippa host the DStv Premiership champions in Gqeberha, with both teams coming into the game on the back of 1-0 wins over the weekend.
Chippa beat newcomers Sekhukhune United, while Sundowns beat AmaZulu, and Mngqithi is expecting a physical and direct game.
“I’m expecting a tough match,” Mngqithi told the club’s media department
“Knowing Gavin Hunt, even the goal they scored against Sekhukhune was from a set piece. And they’ve got some very strong players Pietersen, Seabi, Zulu, all those players, I factor in even Eva Nga, he is also a big factor on set pieces, because he’s also good aerially and he is also very good in and around the box, and direct free kicks.
“So you can expect a game that will have a lot of aerial duels, a game that will have a lot of bite, because Chippa works very hard, Gavin, you know, his teams, they’re never easy to break down.
“And one also foresees a possibility of them sitting in a little bit, they played with three centre backs, against Sekhukhune. And with two wing backs, and three central midfielders, and two up top, so you can expect a game that will be a little bit frustrating, with a bit of directness, offensively, from Watenga, who’s got a very good kick, and Eva Nga on top.”
Mngqithi also hinted that they could be forced to make a change or two, after having started the same line-up in the MTN8 quarter-final win over Kaizer Chiefs, and in the win over AmaZulu.
“First it was to profile the opponents and see what they have, what threats they can pose to us and try to find solutions to that and that will also talk to our lineup,” he continued.
“Also what is not helping us at this stage is the injuries that we’ve had, that have made our life a little bit difficult in our selection in maybe changing the team that has been doing well.
“After two matches with two wins, you would not want to tamper with the team but as it is now we are back to that stage where we have to bring the other players in, which we believe they’ve got the capacity to help the team to be honest.”
