Mamelodi Sundowns vs Esperance Preview: Kick-off time, TV channel & squad news

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Coach Miguel Cardoso will miss five players for this crucial fixture. He will not have experienced Themba Zwane, who, alongside Mothobi Mvala, have been sidelined by injuries but have resumed full training.

The coach explained the two will not be risked by featuring them against the North African outfit as they are still working on their fitness levels. Other players set to miss the match are the new signing Lebo Mothiba, as well as Rivaldo Coetzee and Siyabonga Mabena.

Mamelodi Sundowns Possible XI: Williams, Mudau, Modiba, Kekana, Suarez, Mokoena, Allende, Adams, Rayners, Ribeiro, Shalulile

Kaizer Chiefs hopeful Elias Mokwana is expected to lead Esperance's goal-hunting mission in Pretoria.

Despite initially struggling to settle with his new club, the former Sekhukhune United forward has gone on to establish himself as one of the regular starters.

He is expected to keep his place as Esperance plot to beat the Brazilians at their own turf.

Esperance Possible XI: Memmiche, Jelassi, Hamida, Smiri, Belaïli, Ben Ali, Jebali, Tka, Ogbelu, Sasse, Konate

Sundowns and Esperance have another date after they clashed at the semi-final last season. The Tunisian club, then coached by Cardoso, now in charge of the Brazilians, registered a 2-0 aggregate victory to proceed to the final.

The PSL giants head into the game with their ego bruised a little after they were beaten by Orlando Pirates in a league encounter before the international break.

They then faced Sekhukhune United in a postponed Nedbank Cup quarter-final game and needed extra time to beat their opponents.

In their last five matches across competitions, they have won three games against Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu in the league and against Sekhukhune United in the cup campaign. They were held by Golden Arrows before the defeat against the Sea Robbers in PSL.

On the other hand, Esperance have also not been impressive; in their last five league games, they defeated Etoile du Sahel and Gabes and were held by Ben Guerdane and JS Omrane. They tasted defeat when they were beaten 1-0 by Bizertin on February 22.

Head-to-head PSL record this season

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