Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says they are looking forward to facing Daine Klate’s NB La Masia while changes to the line-up can be expected.
Following a physically draining game to mark the return of the DStv Premiership on Saturday against Orlando Pirates, the second-tier side awaits on Tuesday evening in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup.
Sundowns fell at the quarter-final stage of the competition last season against Stellenbosch amid a congested schedule with the league and CAF Champions League fixtures in between.
“We’re looking forward to it, interesting team to play against, well coached with Daine Klate and his technical team,” Mokwena said ahead of the game.
“They have done well to put their team together that’s why they are at this stage, we know how hard it is to play NFD teams and to study them.
“Luckily we know many of their players and we had the chance to watch one of their games against AmaTuks last week.
“The style of play is completely different after the coaching change from last season.”
Having missed out on Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Themba Zwane, Grant Kekana and Teboho Mokoena after their participation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the much-changed Sundowns XI that faced Pirates look set to be changed.
“We will try to put the best team on the pitch, there might be changes, there were many rotations in the previous game too,” he added about potential starting XI changes.
“It’s a very difficult program in the next couple of weeks so we’ll look to rotate and get the best out of what we can. It’s going to be hectic before the FIFA break so we need to be prepared and ready to go into our playing personnel resources.
“We have a couple of injuries after the Pirates game, it was a very difficult game from a physical perspective so let’s see what we can put together tomorrow.”
Sundowns travel to Dobsonville Stadium tomorrow to face the second-tier side at 19h00.
