Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to secure back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership when they take on TS Galaxy on matchday two.
Mamelodi Sundowns are relishing the chance to continue their current winning form in the DStv Premiership when they play hosts to TS Galaxy at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The Brazilians kick-started their title defence with a commanding 2-0 victory over rivals Cape Town City after goals by Aubrey Modiba and Themba Zwane handed the defending champions all three points at the DHL Stadium on Friday evening.
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The Rockets, meanwhile, were forced to settle for a point after they were held to a goalless draw by AmaZulu at the Bidvest Wits Stadium on Saturday.
The result means Sundowns moved to the top of the league standings with three points after one match, while Galaxy are placed in 12th position in the league with one point from their opening match.
“I do think after we scored the second goal we lost control of the game. The game became too transitional, and we were never really stable on the ball,” said Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
“At one point, we felt maybe we should have brought on the experienced ‘AJ’ (Andile Jali) to control the game. The way they were coming at us, we felt we wanted to impose our intensity by bringing on Mothobi (Mvala) and the rest of the guys.
“I think the game was won on intensity. If you check our high presses and our counter-presses count in the first half, we had nine successful high presses.
“We were probably lacking on the shots at goal. I think we only had one shot coming from those very successful high presses, but our counter-presses were very good.
“The game was very close. We wanted possession to dominate field and ball. That is what we did manage. We were creating a lot of scoring opportunities, but we were not clinical enough in front of goal.”
Sundowns proved too strong for the Rockets last season after they dominated the two-legged fixture by claiming comfortable 3-0 victories in the home and away leg to walk away with a maximum of six points from two matches.
Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi and Sead Ramovic of Galaxy will both be boosted by the fact that they’ll have their entire squads fit and ready for the encounter with no injuries or suspensions to report in both camps.
Themba Zwane is looking to maintain his form in front of goal after he hit the ground running this season as he managed to secure his first goal for Sundowns in his first appearance for the newt season.
Sibusiso Vilakazi will be relishing the chance to come up against his former club Sundowns as he looks to make his debut for the Rockets after missing the first game of the new season.