Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema believes they will have to be at their best if they are to overcome the threat of Chippa United in their DStv Premiership encounter.
The game is set to be staged in the Eastern Cape at Mandela Bay Stadium, with kick-off set for 20:00.
Neo Maema says Chippa will be motivated to beat Sundowns following their decent start to the new season by their own standards. The Chilli Boys held both Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Chippa are yet to suffer defeat in their opening three matches of the season, drawing all of them. On the other hand, Sundowns are on a four-match winning run in all competitions.
MAEMA EXPLAINS THE DIFFICULTY OF PLAYING CHIPPA
“Playing Chippa United is always a difficult match, especially in their background. We are expecting a difficult, intense match,” said Maema.
“They are very quick on the side. They are also motivated by playing those draws against Pirates and Chiefs. So, we are expecting a very difficult match.”
“I think their wingers are very quick on the counterattack. That’s their main strength. They also got some new players, Memela and Mulenga, who are also influential to them and their game plan.
“So, I think those are the players that are posing a threat going forward. Those are players that can cause trouble, and we have to make sure we guard against such.
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“We need to focus on our goals and stick together as a team and make sure that we focus more on our plans and goals. That is winning every match because we know everyone wants to beat us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Goodman Mosele of Chippa revealed the key to causing problems for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mosele, on loan at Chippa from Pirates has started the season well as he scored against his parent club and walked away with the Man of the Match award in the other game.
“It’s going to be a difficult match, but we will work and fight like we did in our previous match,” said Mosele.
“If we can fight, it will be a nice game. The positives we are taking from the games against Chiefs and Pirates are to play the way we’ve been playing and not change anything. We must fight like we have been doing.
“We also have to be compact, like we did against Chiefs, TS Galaxy and Pirates, and everything will be fine.”