Mamelodi Sundowns resume the defence of their domestic league title when they square up to TTM at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday afternoon.
Masandawana head into the game on the back of last weekend's Caf Champions League excursion which took them to Sudan, where they played to a 0-0 draw with Al Hilal Omdurman.
Having already qualified for the quarter-finals ahead of that game meant that Sundowns co-coaches Manqoba Mngqiti and Rhulani Mokwena were able to rest a few players.
And despite not having played in the domestic league since March 21, Downs still have a three-point gap at the top of the table over their nearest rivals, Golden Arrows and AmaZulu.
They have also played three matches fewer than all their closest rivals, which includes SuperSport United in fourth and Orlando Pirates in fifth - both those clubs have 35 points, five behind Downs.
TTM, meanwhile, are second from bottom and will be going to the promotion-relegation play-offs if they maintain their current spot.
With 16 points, they are, at least, three points above the team heading for automatic relegation, Limpopo neighbours Black Leopards, and one point behind the club directly above them, Chippa United.
| Game | Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila vs Mamelodi Sundowns |
| Date | Tuesday, April 6 |
| Time | 15:00 SA Time |
TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch
| Online Streaming | TV Channel |
|---|---|
| DSTV app | SuperSport 202 |
Squads & Team News
Backpagepix
Neither team has any suspensions for Tuesday’s match in the Limpopo province. For Sundowns, Andile Jali is expected to miss the game after recently picking up an injury while on duty for Bafana Bafana against Ghana.
But otherwise, apart from Kermit Erasmus - still expected to be out for a month with an ankle injury - the Brazilians should have a clean bill of health – the likes of Brian Onyango, Mauricio Affonso and Sibusiso Vilakazi, all previously injured, were back in the matchday squad last weekend in Sudan.
Sundowns can also look forward to welcoming top scorer Peter Shalulile back into the squad after he missed their last league match – a 1-1 draw with Black Leopards - through suspension.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, meanwhile have reappointed, Dylan Kerr as head coach and the Brit will have a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Backpagepix
Match Preview
The Pretoria side are on a highly impressive run in the league – if they can avoid defeat, they will have equalled Kaizer Chiefs’ record of going 19 matches unbeaten from the start of the league season.
A 0-0 draw was the outcome when the two sides met in Tshwane in the first round league match this season, with TTM at that stage led by Joel Masutha.
Prior to their stalemate against Leopards, Masandawana were on a four-match winning streak in the league.
Tshakhuma’s last victory came against Stellenbosch in February, since then they drew with Swallows and lost to Golden Arrows and AmaZulu.
