Sundowns set to ring the changes for Arrows clash

Whether it’s pure mind games or genuine sentiments, Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says Golden Arrows can expect a slightly different Downs side when they meet in the DStv Premiership this afternoon.

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Mngqithi says he and Rulani Mokwena are contemplating ringing some changes due to the amount of fatigue and a few injury concerns.

The trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo was not the most pleasant, according to the Downs mentors, who encountered some extreme weather conditions and humidity.

“Playing Arrows is always a difficult game to approach but we believe that we have a team that is capable of doing it. We will make some changes because we need to refresh the team, considering that we travelled in a very harsh weather. Some of our players were dehydrated,” said Mngqithi.

“We will not tamper too much with the line-up but we have had some injuries that are forcing our hand. It has put us on the back foot but we are going into this match having also regained some of the players who we missed in Congo,” he added.

While the radar is on today’s game, the Brazilians have an appointment with Cape Town City next Saturday in the MTN8 final, but before that, they still need to get the better of Maniema Union to advance to the Champions League group stages.

But Mngqithi says his team will not be sidetracked.

“The final is a very important match for us but we are mature enough to understand that we have to take each match as it comes. That is why we feel it is necessary to refresh the team so that we are safe from potential fatigue.”

Sundowns’ clash against Arrows is set to take place at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont at 3.30pm this afternoon.