Modiba: Sundowns have slight advantage over Polokwane City in MTN8 opener

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Aubrey Modiba believes his side could hold a slight advantage over Polokwane City in Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium because their opponents have already played a competitive match this season.

Sundowns were due to begin their Betway Premiership campaign against Marumo Gallants last week, but that fixture was postponed following the death of midfielder Jayden Adams. The change also disrupted the club’s pre-season preparations and delayed their planned departure for a training camp in Austria.

Polokwane City, meanwhile, opened their league campaign with a victory over Richards Bay. Modiba said watching that match had given Sundowns a clearer understanding of what to expect when the teams meet in the MTN8.

“Mentally we were prepared to play on August 1. I think everyone would have loved to play, and we don’t want to fall behind because teams are collecting points. We don’t want to play catch up games,” Modiba said.

“But there is nothing we could have done because of the situation. We had to accept that and focus on the MTN8 game against Polokwane City, and they have already played.

“They have a new coach and have brought in new players. That game will help us analyse their strengths and weaknesses going into the match. The advantage for us is that they don’t know a lot about us this season.”

Although the postponement meant Sundowns missed the opening league weekend, Modiba said the club had accepted the circumstances and was now focused on making a strong start in the knockout competition.

The Pretoria side are targeting the MTN8 title after a season in which they won only one trophy, the CAF Champions League. Modiba acknowledged that success in domestic competitions had eluded the team and said winning the MTN8 would provide an important foundation for their ambitions this season.

“We are aware of not being able to win local competitions. Hopefully we can win the MTN8. We know it is not going to be easy,” he said.

“[Orlando] Pirates have won it four times in a row, and it shows they take it seriously.

“Continuity in the team, same technical team, and hopefully we can achieve big things together.”

Sundowns will therefore begin their MTN8 campaign against a Polokwane team with competitive action already under its belt, while the Brazilians will rely on their preparation and analysis of their opponents’ league victory.

The MTN8 quarter-final fixtures are being played across Saturday and Sunday, with Sundowns’ meeting with Polokwane City taking place at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.