AmaZulu’s pace is key threat to Sundowns, says Modiba

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Aubrey Modiba has warned his team that AmaZulu FC’s pace will be a major danger when the sides meet in the Betway Premiership at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

The match kicks off at 19:30, with Mamelodi Sundowns aiming to respond after suffering a surprise defeat by Golden Arrows in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final last weekend.

AmaZulu FC will arrive in a more positive mood after beating Siwelele 2-0 in the league a week ago. Modiba expects Arthur Zwane’s side to approach the fixture with confidence and believes their speed could create problems for the hosts.

“Obviously, they are a well-rested team but that’s not an excuse. We know their dangerous players. They have the speed and also on how they want to play,” Modiba told Sundowns media department.

The defender said Mamelodi Sundowns were familiar with the challenge AmaZulu FC could present, having faced them both at home and in Durban last season.

“We played them last season at home and in Durban. You could see that game. It was pound for pound.”

Modiba believes those previous meetings provide an indication of what to expect at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with both teams possessing players capable of making a decisive impact.

“We’re expecting more or less the same game with the dangerous players. But we also have dangerous players as well.”

The fixture gives Mamelodi Sundowns an immediate opportunity to put their MTN8 disappointment behind them, while AmaZulu FC will seek to build on their league victory over Siwelele.

Despite highlighting the threat posed by AmaZulu FC’s pace, Modiba said the recent defeat by Golden Arrows would not be used as an excuse and insisted Mamelodi Sundowns understood the quality within their opponents’ squad.

The match is expected to provide another closely contested meeting between the two sides, who produced an evenly matched encounter in their previous meetings last season.

“It’s going to be a good game to watch for people at home and at the stadium. Hopefully, they come to the stadium in numbers and push us.”

Mamelodi Sundowns will therefore look to their own attacking players to match the threat posed by AmaZulu FC, while also preventing Zwane’s team from exploiting the space and speed Modiba has identified as their main strengths.