Mamelodi Sundowns will look to move closer to another Betway Premiership title when they host TS Galaxy at 19:30 on Tuesday evening.
CONFIRMED STARTING LINE UPS
TS Galaxy starting line up: Tape, Motaung, Mbunjana, Zulu, Xulu, Maduna, Mncwango, Mvelase, Mahlambi, Letsoalo, George.
Substitutes: Maseti, Mahlangu, Ngwenya, Letsoenyo, Moletshe, Rantoa, Zindonga, Fisher, Nkosi.
Mamelodi Sundowns starting line up: Williams (c), Mdunyelwa, Johannes, Kekana, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Letlhaku, Santos, Sales, Leon.
Substitutes: Onyango, Ndamane, Lunga, Reisinho, Zwane, Ntsabeleng, Matthews, Rayners, Mothiba.
Also read: Orlando Pirates: Plans to sign three new signings
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP: TS GALAXY VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Masandawana head into the clash without suspended duo Khuliso Mudau and Jayden Adams, while defender Keanu Cupido remains sidelined with an injury that will keep him out until next season.
Victory for Miguel Cardoso’s side would take Sundowns to 71 points after 30 matches, with 21 wins collected across the campaign.
However, the title race would not officially be over yet, as Orlando Pirates could still mathematically finish level on points and potentially snatch the championship on goal difference if they win their final two fixtures against Durban City and Orbit College.
MIGUEL CARDOSO EXPLAINS SCHEDULING REALITY
The scheduling of the TS Galaxy fixture has become a talking point, especially with Sundowns preparing for the CAF Champions League final.
Some observers questioned why the match was not played between the two legs of the continental showdown, but Cardoso believes that would have placed an impossible physical burden on his squad.
The Portuguese coach says the demands of travelling across Africa while competing domestically have already stretched the players to their limits.
“No, that would be absolutely impossible,” Cardoso explained. “With the travel to North Africa, how would you make it? We could do it if we had two teams or one squad staying here while the other travels, it’s impossible.”
The former Esperance mentor pointed to Sundowns’ recent semi-final trip to Tunisia as an example of the logistical difficulties involved in CAF competition.
According to Cardoso, Sundowns were unable to secure a night flight after returning from Espérance and only travelled the following morning because there were no available slots.
“Even when we came from Espérance, we could not fly in the night,” he said. “There was no slot available, so we had to leave in the morning. But we were also told that if we flew at night, we would then have had only two days before the next game. That is the reality we are dealing with.”
Despite the ongoing debate around the fixture list, Cardoso avoided discussing the details of conversations between Sundowns officials and the PSL over scheduling arrangements.
