Sundowns Host Top-Flight Newcomers Milford at Loftus Versfeld
Mamelodi Sundowns need a win over promoted Milford FC to keep pace with league leaders Orlando Pirates in the South African Premiership.
The Fixture at Loftus Versfeld
Mamelodi Sundowns, the Pretoria club known as the Brazilians, host Milford FC in a Premier Soccer League match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night.
Goal.com reports that Sundowns need to win to keep pace with log leaders Orlando Pirates, who moved three points clear after beating Kruger United 4-0 on Tuesday night.
Milford, nicknamed the Stallions, are newly promoted to the top flight. Goal.com notes the two clubs have never met before.
Squad News for the Brazilians
Right-back Khuliso Mudau is out for months after suffering an Achilles rupture in August, according to Goal.com. He joins Keanu Cupido, Arthur Sales and Nuno Santos on the injured list.
Coach Miguel Cardoso has welcomed back Teboho Mokoena, who returned from injury to score a free kick against AmaZulu and featured again in the MTN8 semi-final second leg win over Golden Arrows.
Cardoso has rotated heavily this season, making eight changes between the two MTN8 semi-final legs against Arrows, and Goal.com expects further changes given a congested schedule before the international break.
Milford's Start in the Top Flight
Milford sit fifth on the table going into the match. Goal.com reports they have taken points against Siwelele (win), Kruger United (win) and Polokwane City (draw).
TimesLIVE describes the record slightly differently, reporting two wins from four opening fixtures along with a defeat and a draw.
The club is run by Dr Xanti Pupuma, who is owner, chairman and head coach while working as a full-time gynaecologist in Richards Bay. He told SuperSport that keeping the promotion-winning squad together, with only four or five additions, has made the step up easier.
MTN8 Final and What Comes Next
Sundowns reached the MTN8 final by beating Golden Arrows over two legs, only their sixth appearance in that decider, TimesLIVE reports. They face Orlando Pirates on October 10 at a venue that has not yet been confirmed.
Defender Malibongwe Khoza said the club made sure to reach the final because of criticism that they do not focus enough on local competitions. He described Milford as an energetic, counter-attacking side.
Goal.com notes that Sundowns have conceded five goals in their last two matches while scoring eight. Neither source gives a kick-off time for the match or a confirmed lineup.
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