Mamelodi Sundowns could have a major concern ahead of the big DStv Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday.
Normally, the Brazilians would play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld Stadium but the venue is unavailable for about two months, as there are refurbishments taking place.
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To remain in Tshwane, Sundowns bore the costs of renovating the venue, however, despite the improvement on the facilities, the condition of the pitch remains a concern.
Former Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana says he had been at the venue on Monday and it does not look like the pitch is ready yet for free flowing football.
"Well, I've been to Lucas Moripe today (Monday) afternoon, I must say the stadium looks good but the surface I'm not sure about it. It still looks soft," Kekana said on SABC's SoccerZone.
"Of course, maybe they want to accommodate this particular match but I don't think SuperSport were going to enjoy their brand of football (SuperSport head coach Gavin Hunt cried foul why they were not allowed to use the stadium this season) if they had to play at Lucas at this present moment. I don't think the stadium is ready," he said.
The pitch dynamic could influence the tactics for both sides, but given that this is Sundowns' home game and how they like to dominate possession and circulate the ball, it could be to their disadvantage this time.
Chiefs lost to Sundowns home and away last season and if they were to have a chance of turning the tables around, not having the best surface could tilt the scales and make the game more open than it could have been if the surface was in its best condition.
The Sundowns v Chiefs fixture was originally scheduled for Loftus but the fixture change was only announced by the PSL last week.
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