Under Fire Chiefs and Sundowns announce Carling Cup lineups
Two of South Africa’s biggest clubs are licking their wounds, and tonight there is no room for another slip.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have named their teams for the Carling Knockout Cup Last 16, with a cheque of close to R7 million waiting for the eventual champions.
Chiefs vs TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium
Amakhosi are still reeling from Friday’s penalty shootout exit from the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Red Arrows, and the heat on Fernando Da Cruz is rising.
Chiefs have not won in five matches across all competitions and have already bowed out of two cup competitions this season. The Carling Cup is a chance to start again.
TS Galaxy smell blood. Esau Mtsweni’s Rockets will look to the 2009 Nedbank Cup final, when they beat Chiefs, for inspiration.
Chiefs have made one notable change from last Friday’s team with goalkeeper Bandon Petersen returning to the team after missing the last few games through injury.
Lebohang Maboe also starts after also recovering from an injury.
Chiefs XI: Petersen, Frosler, Moloisane, Dortley, Mako, Maboe, Mthethwa, Vilakazi, Shabalala, Mmodi, Duba.
Galaxy XI: Mathebula, Mhlongo, Mcwango, Mathebula, Mbunjana, Kokora, Zindoga, Rantoa, Mahlambi, Zandemela, Letsoalo.
Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld
The defending African champions are trying to forget a shock exit from the CAF Champions League. Miguel Cardoso’s side drew 1-1 with Angola’s Wiliete SC but went out on away goals, despite being unbeaten in 11 games across all competitions. Now they chase a domestic cup double after beating Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final.
Marumo Gallants arrive bottom of the Betway Premiership table without a win all season, despite bringing in Namibian coach Ronnie Kanalelo to turn things around. But they will remember last year’s historic upset of Sundowns in this same competition.
A few notable changes have been made. Mothobi Mvala starting ahead of Khulumani Ndamane alongside Malibongwe Khoza in central defence.
Thabo Cele and Mkhulise also start in central midfield, with Siyanda Ndlovu, Antonio van Wyk and Iqraam Rayners also getting starts.
Sundowns XI: Goss, Morena, Khoza, Mvala, Basadien, Cele, Mkhulise, Sales, Ndlovu, van Wyk, Rayners.
Gallants XI: Mlambo, Ncube, Rikhotso, Manku, Motshoneng, Ntiya-Ntiya, Pheena, Ndlondlo, Moremi, Sihlali, Kunene.
Two giants. Two bruised egos. One cup that can fix both, or make things worse.
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