Kasi soccer skills: Gaston Sirino flava skills [video]

Sirino during his prime years at Sundowns. Image: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI prediction: MTN 8 semi-final vs Golden Arrows

Mamelodi Sundowns have little time to rest on their laurels after their victory over Orlando Pirates as they are pressed into action in the MTN 8.

Kasi soccer skills: Gaston Sirino flava skills [video]

Sirino during his prime years at Sundowns. Image: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns have little time to rest on their laurels after their victory over Orlando Pirates as they are pressed into action in the MTN 8.

With the tie locked at 1-1, you would expect Sundowns to try and field the strongest possible team while still managing the workloads of their top stars.

Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI prediction

After his penalty shootout heroics earlier in the campaign, you’d bet on Kennedy Mweene being given the gloves for this encounter.

Sundowns are a little thin at the back at the moment which means the back four that played 90 minutes on Saturday will be asked to put in another big shift on Tuesday. Grant Kekana should continue at right back, with Lyle Lakay on the other flank and Rushine De Reuck and Mosa Lebusa holding it down in and around the box.

Mamelodi Sundowns
Lyle Lakay of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates goal during the 2020 Nedbank Cup Semifinals match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits at the Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg on the 08 August 2020 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

A knock to Rivaldo Coetzee could see George Maluleka return to the Sundowns starting lineup to partner Andile Jali in central midfield.

Sibusiso Vilakazi could be the man they turn to link the midfield with the attacking trio up front.

Pavol Safranko has shown glimpses of what he can do, and he might be asked to do a job from the start for Sundowns in this match. With just a couple of days between assignments, it’s likely that Sundowns will rest star man Peter Shalulile.

Mamelodi Sundowns
Namibia goalkeeper Virgil Vries and Slovakia forward Pavol Safranko were among the stars in the first legs of the MTN8 semi-finals. Photo: Twitter @Masandawana

Sundowns might look to Aubrey Modiba and Gaston Sirino to generate chances for Safranko.

Predicted XI

Mamelodi Sundowns starting XI prediction: Kennedy Mweene, Lyle Lakay, Mosa Lebusa, Rushine de Reuck, Grant Kekana, Andile Jali, George Maluleka, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Aubrey Modiba, Gaston Sirino, Pavol Safranko.

Confirmed XI

TBA

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