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Downs Get Massive Boost Ahead Of Pirates Clash?

Downs Get Massive Boost Ahead Of Pirates Clash?

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 18: Marcelo Allende and Bongani Zungu of Mamelodi Sundowns during the DStv Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed that they have a surprise package ahead of their MTN8 semi-final first-leg clash against Orlando Pirates.

Pirates hogged the headlines with the signings of Kermit Erasmus and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.

Erasmus and Ndlondlo will give the Buccaneers an element of surprise against Sundowns.

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However, the Brazilians' squad depth in these early stages of the season will also offer Pirates a headache on the personnel they are likely to use.

Mngqithi was bullish ahead of the game and says they are going to Orlando to win and not to play for a draw, just because the match is played over two legs.

"We always go for the match to win the match, that's the advantage we have as a team, we put our first foot forward," Mngqithi said in a pre-match press conference.

"We're not going there to sit back and watch them play in front of us. That one I can guarantee you.

"And we're not going to Orlando to try and come back with a draw and hope to win the second-leg. We're too experienced in that space of two matches and we know what is most likely to happen.

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"So we will give it our best shot and if we bring our 'A' game and we match the hunger, I think our quality will prevail at the end."

Mngqithi also gave an update on the squad's bill of health and revealed that they are looking to unleash new signing Bongani Zungu against Pirates.

Sundowns teased the return to fitness of Zungu after he was brought on from the bench in stoppage time against AmaZulu. 

Another big boost for Masandawana is the return from injury of Gaston Sirino.

"To be honest we don't have too many injuries, we have [Terrence] Mashego, we have [Abubaker] Nasir still out but getting back very soon, probably he will be available for the second round," he said.

"Then Mashego he's probably one of our longer term injuries but otherwise we're getting almost everybody else back.

"Rivaldo [Coetzee] is getting closer and closer to the team, Bongani Zungu has already shown some minutes, we're hoping that he can get an opportunity in this match and deliver a very good game.

"Abdel [Boutouil] is also looking very good in training but probably it's a case of one or another two weeks before he can come back.

"But otherwise we've got a very good bill of health in terms of injuries because a lot of players that were injured have come back, Gaston has come back, Lebo [Maboe] is also in and around the team, Mothobi [Movala] is also in and around the team, so we're in a very good state compared to previous matches," he added.

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