Polokwane City will look to pull off a surprise result against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns when the two sides clash in the Betway Premiership at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT, LIVE on SuperSport.
CURRENT FORM
Rise and Shine are in good form heading into the match, remaining undefeated in their last four Betway Premiership outings, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC at home on 26 April.
Polokwane currently sit in sixth place on the log, five points clear of ninth-placed Stellenbosch and a positive result against Sundowns would significantly boost their chances of securing a top-eight finish and MTN8 qualification.
Sundowns, on the other hand, dropped two crucial points after a 0-0 draw away to Richards Bay on 26 April and they are now winless in their last two league matches, but remain unbeaten in 16 Betway Premiership games.
Masandawana occupy second position on the table, just one point behind leaders Orlando Pirates, with a game in hand and a victory over Polokwane would see them reclaim top spot.
TEAM NEWS
Polokwane City are yet to report any injuries coming into this match, but Mamelodi Sundowns have injuries in their camp.
Sundowns are expected to be without Arthur Sales, Brayan Leon, Miguel Reisinho, Nuno Santos and Mothobi Mvala, who are all nursing injuries.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Mmelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso
"They (Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates) drew? Obviously it's a missed opportunity. Of course, I didn't know, we had a match and I don't really know [what was happening]," Cardoso said.
"Their draw is even more dramatic because we should have taken the opportunity at hand and collect the points we needed to go ahead.
"But, look, there are five matches to be played – two in a row against Polokwane [City] and then we have Chiefs, and then we have Siwelele and then TS Galaxy."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Iqraam Rayners, Mamelodi Sundowns: The experienced striker is firmly in the race for the Betway Premiership Golden Boot, having scored 11 goals this season and will be eager to close the gap on current leader Junior Sede Dion of Golden Arrows, who sits on 13 goals.
Mokibelo Ramabu, Polokwane City: Rise and Shine will pin their hopes of causing a major upset on the tricky, who has been one of the standout performers for the Limpopo side this season and is currently the team’s top scorer in the Betway Premiership with four goals.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
LAST 10 RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
- 2016/17 Sundowns 0-0 Polokwane
- 2017/18 Sundowns 1-2 Polokwane Lebese (pen); Ramagalela 2
- 2017/18 Polokwane 3-2 Sundowns Seabi, Musona, Ramagalela; Lebese, Manyisa
- 2018/19 Polokwane 0-2 Sundowns Nascimento, Maboe
- 2018/19 Sundowns 1-1 Polokwane Zwane; Onyango (og)
- 2019/20 Sundowns 1-0 Polokwane Vilakazi
- 2019/20 Polokwane 0-3 Sundowns Ngcongca, Zwane, Makgalwa
- 2023/24 Polokwane 0-2 Sundowns Costa 2 (1 pen)
- 2023/24 Sundowns 0-0 Polokwane
- 2024/25 Polokwane 1-0 Sundowns Nikani
- 2024/25 Sundowns 2-0 Polokwane Lethlaku 2
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2013/14)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Polokwane 9 3 0 6 6 17
Sundowns 9 4 4 1 11 3
Away
P W D L GF GA
Polokwane 9 1 4 4 3 11
Sundowns 9 6 0 3 17 6
Total
P W D L GF GA
Polokwane 18 4 4 10 9 28
Sundowns 18 10 4 4 28 9