Arrows coach Komphela throws down the gauntlet

His side have the advantage of playing at home after they were drawn with Mamelodi Sundowns, who were made to sweat by Chippa United as they had to advance through the lottery of penalties.

READ: Chiefs and Sundowns avoid each other in TKO draw

Coincidentally, as it is the case with SuperSport, Arrows will play the Tshwane giants in back-to-back cup and league matches.

On facing Masandawana, Komphela will have the memory of the last time he faced Sundowns in the TKO in the 2015 final, when he was still at the helm of Kaizer Chiefs.

Sundowns won that match 3-1 and totally outclassed Amakhosi in a cup triumph that was the last by the Brazilians.

Before that meeting, which is scheduled for later this month, Komphela will need to find a way past Matsantsantsa again as they lock horns in an Absa Premiership clash tonight at the Mbombela Stadium.

United are still nursing their wounds and Kaitano Tembo and his men will be out for revenge, particularly against the side they have not lost to at home in the league since 2015. The key for Tembo was to have proper regeneration as their fixture list has been quite congested of late.

“We just need to make sure we have recovered because this was our third game in six days. I was happy with the performance that the players gave me even though we played last Wednesday and we are in the right condition,” said the SuperSport coach.

His opposite number, Komphela, kept his cards close to his chest. Instead he chose to praise midfielder Brandon Parusnath.

“Tactically he is very smart and he works hard for the team. He is a team player,” said Komphela.

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