Sundowns name strong side for Carling Knockout quarter-final against Golden Arrows

Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows have confirmed their starting line-ups for their Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium tonight, with the Brazilians seeking a third victory over their opponents this season.

Miguel Cardoso’s side have already beaten Golden Arrows twice during the current campaign. Sundowns first eliminated Abafana Bes’thende from the MTN8 after an entertaining two-legged tie before securing a Betway Premiership victory in Durban in September.

The hosts also lifted the MTN8 earlier this season and will now attempt to remain in contention for another domestic cup. Their recent league form provides further encouragement, with Sundowns unbeaten in their past five matches.

During that run, they have scored 14 goals and conceded four.

Golden Arrows arrive in Pretoria under new head coach Mandla Ncikazi. The Abafana Bes’thende manager previously won the Carling Knockout Cup as an assistant coach at former club Orlando Pirates and will be hoping to guide his current side to a surprise victory over the holders of the recent meetings.

Their league form has been less impressive than Sundowns’. Arrows have recorded two draws in their last five league matches, scoring twice and conceding five goals during that period.

Sundowns and Arrows line-ups

Sundowns have named Ronwen Williams? No, the confirmed team is Goss, Morena, Khoza, Mvala, Basadien, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Sales, Ndlovu, Van Wyk and Rayners.

Their substitutes are Onyango, Ndamane, Matuludi, Modiba, Allende, Santos, Zwane, Mailula and Leon.

Golden Arrows will start with Msibi, Shezi, Agnokoi, Jiyane, Maluleke, Msomi, Zwane, Maxwele, Gasa, Sithole and Dion.

The visitors’ substitutes are Mbanjwa, Mabaso, Barry, Nguse, Khumalo, Van Neel, Karelse, Cele and Moloi.

The quarter-final offers Sundowns the opportunity to extend their dominance in this season’s meetings, while Arrows will attempt to overturn both the recent head-to-head record and the contrasting league form between the two teams.