Mamelodi Sundowns welcome back utility player Rivaldo Coetzee who was rested in the midweek trip to Golden Arrows.The defender-cum-midfielder returns together with Themba Zwane who also did not travel to Durban.
Zwane’s return is bad news for Maniema after he struck a brace in Kinshasa last weekend. Rushine De Reuck is also expected back, having suffered an injury while on national duty with Bafana Bafana.
Maniema Union forward Ricky Tulenge is expected back after serving a two-match suspension.
The former AS Vita star was shown a straight red card in the preliminary round, away leg match against Gabonese side Bouenguidi.
His return is some encouraging news for coach Tumba Djene and his team who need to score and cancel out Sundowns’ away goals.
While Sundowns are yet to concede in seven Premier Soccer League games, Maniema exposed them by firing two goals past Denis Onyango through Kitwa Kalowa and Tenda Mutuila.
That gives Maniema hope of getting a positive result in Tshwane especially if Sundowns continue with the centre-back pairing of Mosa Lebusa and Brian Onyango which appeared shaky in their last two games.
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With Masandawana having also managed to get two away goals, they will be encouraged that Maniema’s defence could be unlocked again.
But they might need striker Peter Shalulile to return to his prolific best as the forward has now gone for two games without finding the back of the net.
The Brazilians are yet to lose a match this season but their opponents arrive in Pretoria on the backdrop of a three-match winless run consisting of a domestic league defeat to AS Vita, a draw against Renaissance and the first leg result against Sundowns
