Royal AM have reportedly already lined up a replacement for coach John Maduka who is set to take over at Maritzburg United. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns: PSL preview and kick-off time
Highlands Park return to action after the lengthy COVID-19 suspension when they host Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL this evening at the Dobsonville stadium.
Royal AM have reportedly already lined up a replacement for coach John Maduka who is set to take over at Maritzburg United. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Highlands Park mark their return to action after a five-month break due to COVID-19 on Friday evening when they host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Dobsonville stadium in the PSL.
Mamelodi Sundowns have enjoyed just three days of rest since their last outing against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday night in which they played out to a goalless draw in the PSL after a rather flat-footed display.
Mamelodi Sundowns have the opportunity to cut Kaizer Chiefs’ lead atop the Absa Premiership standings to just one point should they come away with a win while Highlands Park will be looking to consolidate their position in the top eight by claiming maximum points themselves.
Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Previous PSL clashes
Highlands Park are yet to beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL. They’ve faced each other on seven previous occasions with Masandawana walking away with a victory five times while the remaining two games have ended in a draw.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has enjoyed great success against his counterpart Owen Da Gama. Mosimane has won four out of their previous five clashes in the PSL.
Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns: PSL Team news
Mamelodi Sundowns welcome the return of talisman Gaston Sirino who has served his two-match PSL ban. Anele Ngcongca, Sammy Seabi and Aubrey Ngoma remain doubtful through injury while Thapelo Morena has returned to full training but will be eased back into action after recovering from a shin injury.
Highlands Park will be looking to their own talisman in Peter Shalulile. The Namibian already has 12 PSL goals this season. A lot will depend on the diminutive attacker should Owen Da Gama’s men end their woeful run against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mosimane wary of the dangerous Lions of The North
“Highlands Park, ask any team in the PSL, they are tough customers. They are also a giant-killer, you must know that. It is a team that is very strong, works very hard and is very committed. A team that we all know you earn your win.” Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane said as quoted by SuperSport.
“You can’t just win against them, you have to fight and sometimes playing Highlands Park is more than the tactics, it is more the emotional side.
“We have played two games, the semifinal, in which we achieved our objective to reach the final, and then the league, where we are stagnant with the results. Mamelodi Sundowns are in the same position, we haven’t moved down or up. The only challenge is that the games are getting less.”
Sundowns are better prepared – Da Gama
“Nobody can get it 100% right because it hasn’t been long since we started training but we have tried to manage the boys as best as possible‚” Highlands Park head coach Owen Da Gama said ahead of the PSL clash.
“Going into the first match against Mamelodi Sundowns‚ I don’t think there is anyone who will say they are ready and I don’t think that we are prepared. We only started playing 11 vs 11 at training last week because we had to introduce the players gradually due to the health and regulations that we had to follow.
“I started training with four players‚ moved to six‚ eight‚ 10 until we had 22 last week. Mamelodi Sundowns have two games under their belt already and they will be much more prepared than us‚ but in saying that there is nothing we can do about it. We just have to be as prepared as we can be.”
Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Kick-off time, where to watch
Action between Highlands Park and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Dobsonville stadium gets underway at 18:00. The PSL match will be televised live on SuperSport 4. You can also live-stream the game on DSTV Now (Subscription required).
