Sundowns look to bounce back in style against AmaZulu

Mamelodi Sundowns will face off with AmaZulu FC in their first Betway Premiership home match of the 2025/26 season at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 7:30 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Masandawana let a lead slip in their opening league game of the season as they drew 1-1 with Chippa United away on August 9, which sees the defending champions placed eighth in the standings at the moment.

The draw extended Sundowns' unbeaten run to three matches across all competitions, and the Tshwane giants are also undefeated in their last seven games in the Betway Premiership.

Meanwhile, AmaZulu got off to a good start as they claimed a 1-0 victory over top-flight debutants, Orbit College, at home on August 9 and the KwaZulu-Natal giants are placed fifth in the standings.

Therefore, Usuthu bounced back to winning ways after losing to Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 on August 3, but the Durban-based side are undefeated in their last four Betway Premiership matches.

TEAM NEWS

Thapelo Morena has missed Sundowns' first two matches in the current season due to an injury and it is unclear whether Lucas Ribeiro, and Khuliso Mudau will be available for selection amid reports linking them with foreign clubs.

AmaZulu, on the other hand, were without the services of Richard Ofori against Orbit College due to a concussion the experienced goalkeeper suffered during the clash with Stellenbosch and he remains an injury doubt.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso:

“We have to fight for the next one [against AmaZulu], now we have to think about the next one, look at this match, see the mistake and try to build the team. A lot to go with this team until we finish, let's see what will happen," Cardoso said.

“Yeah, it is what it is. I'm more than used to that, the team is more used to that we know we have 72 hours to prepare ourselves for the next match.

“Obviously the context of victory would have allowed us to be in a general ambience and comfort zone, but it is not where we are and we will deal with it in the right way. We will be strong for our next match and we will fight to win it.”

AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane:

“We can’t think because they (Sundowns) drew their first game that perhaps it’s going to be an easier game,” Zwane said.

“It’s going to be a very difficult season for everyone. There will be fewer underdogs this season because if you look at our previous games against Sundowns, we lost due to their individual brilliance.

“The likes of Lucas Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile stood out for them in games against us — they made the difference. So this is why I say it’s going to be difficult for everyone."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arthur Sales, Mamelodi Sundowns: The lanky forward is becoming Masandawana's dangerman, having grabbed an assist against Richards Bay on August 3 and he then scored in the draw with Chippa United.

Tebogo Mashigo, AmaZulu FC: The youngster has been Usuthu's best attacker since the start of the season, which has seen him score against Stellenbosch before creating the winning goal against Orbit College.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2020/21 Sundowns 4-3 AmaZulu Zwane 3, Shalulile; Majoro, Memela, Khumalo

2020/21 AmaZulu 0-0 Sundowns

2021/22 Sundowns 1-0 AmaZulu Zwane (pen)

2021/22 AmaZulu 1-0 Sundowns Mulenga

2022/23 Sundowns 1-0 AmaZulu Allende

2022/23 AmaZulu 2-2 Sundowns Mphalele, Dion; Zungu, Shalulile

2023/24 AmaZulu 0-1 Sundowns Ribeiro (pen)

2023/24 Sundowns 3-0 AmaZulu Ribeiro 3

2024/25 AmaZulu 0-1 Sundowns Rayners

2024/25 Sundowns 2-0 AmaZulu Shalulile, Sales

LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 34 22 6 6 70 29

AmaZulu 35 3 9 23 19 57

Away

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 35 23 9 3 57 19

AmaZulu 34 6 6 22 29 70

Total

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 69 45 15 9 127 48

AmaZulu 69 9 15 45 48 127