Highlands out to dent Sundowns' title hopes

Highlands Park will square off with Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership match at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT.

The Lions of the North are keen to snap their three-match winless run in the league having succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to SuperSport United at home in their last game which was in March 2020.

They are placed eighth on the league standings - three points above ninth-placed Bloemfontein Celtic and a win over Sundowns will see Highlands Park cement their place in the top eight.

"They [Sundowns] are challenging for the league. They have many options when you look at their squad. It won't be easy for us because they have already played two competitive matches," Kapini said.

"However, we are a club which believes that any team is beatable. If we approach this game the right way and apply ourselves according to how the coaches have planned, then we can get a positive result."

Meanwhile, Sundowns stretched their unbeaten run to five matches in the league when they drew 0-0 with Orlando Pirates at home in their most recent match which was played on Tuesday.

As a result, Masandawana, who are the defending champions, are four points behind the log leaders, Kaizer Chiefs, but the former have a game in hand.

Pitso Mosimane, the Sundowns head coach, was happy to collect a point from their titanic clash with Pirates ahead of their encounter with the Lions of the North.

"We are going for the long haul, it's a good point, don't undermine a point against Orlando Pirates," Mosimane said.

"It's a big point, two tough games, [Bidvest] Wits and Orlando Pirates. Yes, not bad. It's still a long haul, we are still going."

KEY PLAYERS

Highlands Park

Lindokuhle Mbatha: The veteran attacking midfielder has been one of the most creative players in the league this season with six assists. Mbatha has the ability to inspire Highlands Park to a win over his former side, Sundowns.

Peter Shalulile: The Namibian attacker has been the Lions of the North's best player this season having netted 12 goals in the league. Shalulile will be eager to find the back of the net as he is in the race for the league's Golden Boot award.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Denis Onyango: The Uganda international produced a brilliant performance against Pirates and he ensured that the game ended goalless. Onyango will be hoping to pull off another great performance against Highlands Park.

Themba Zwane: The Bafana Bafana international has been Sundowns' best attacker this season and he is the team's top scorer in the league with nine goals. Zwane could be key to a Sundowns win over the Lions of the North.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2016/17 Sundowns 5-0 Highlands Tau, Laffor, Vilakazi, T. Zwane, Isaacs (og)
2016/17 Highlands 2-2 Sundowns Ledwaba, Mvala; T. Zwane, Nthethe (pen)
2018/19 Sundowns 0-0 Highlands
2018/19 Highlands 1-2 Sundowns Mbatha; Morena, Zwane
2019/20 Sundowns 1-0 Highlands Affonso

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2016/17)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Highlands 2 0 1 1 3 4
Sundowns 3 2 1 0 6 0

Away

P W D L GF GA

Highlands 3 0 1 2 0 6
Sundowns 2 1 1 0 4 3

Total

P W D L GF GA

Highlands 5 0 2 3 3 10
Sundowns 5 3 2 0 10 3