Sundowns face Golden Arrows test as Rayners warns of Ncikazi threat

Mamelodi Sundowns will need to overcome the tactical challenge posed by newly appointed Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi when the sides meet in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals.

The defending champions host Lamontville Abafana Bes’thende at Loftus Versfeld later this evening, with a place in the next round at stake.

Sundowns go into the tie after an emphatic 4-1 league victory over Durban City. Golden Arrows, however, will be looking to respond after suffering a 1-0 defeat by AmaZulu.

Striker Iqraam Rayners believes Ncikazi’s experience in preparing teams to face Sundowns makes Arrows a serious threat.

“I think the coach of Golden Arrows, he’s a good coach, especially when teams play against Sundowns, they know how to set up,” Rayners told Sundowns’ media department.

The forward said Sundowns’ priority was to remain focused on their own performance, retain confidence in possession and work hard enough to secure the result required to progress.

“For us as a team, we just need to do our job and be confident on the ball and working hard as possible to win the game and get the result. That’s the most important thing and going to the next round.”

Rayners also highlighted the importance of converting the opportunities Sundowns create against Golden Arrows. He said the champions would need to be clinical if they were to avoid allowing their opponents to remain in the contest.

“For us as a team, we always have a lot of opportunities against them, but we just have to make sure we punish them as early as possible,” he added.

The striker believes an early goal could alter the flow of the quarter-final by forcing Golden Arrows to take greater risks.

“Once we score first, then we know the game will open up, and we know we will win the game. That’s the most important thing.”