BAPTISM OF FIRE

MTN8: Downs Gear Up for Their First Match of the 2024/25 campaign under coach Manqoba

By Sports Reporter

Mamelodi Sundowns have been gearing up for the anticipated return of football in South Africa, and to kick off their 2024/25 campaign, they have been pitted against Polokwane City, whom they will be hosting  at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

Coach Manqoba admitted to not know what to expect from this edition of the MTN8, having to judge off pre-season results, which he believes are not a true reflection of any team. He said: “I wouldn’t really want to say much because at this stage, it’s very difficult to know where teams stand. Friendly matches never really give you a true reflection of where a team is because sometimes that element of pressure is never really tested, and it’s always difficult to predict what it’s going to happen.”

Playing against a team like Polokwane City will prove to be hard, according to coach Manqoba. He believes that there’ll be more competition this season and their quarterfinal encounter against Rise and Shine will go one to prove his point.

 “Coming to our game against Polokwane City, I think it’s going to be a tough one. It is a big deal for teams like Polokwane City to be in the top 8. That says a lot about our league now. It says there is a lot of competition. A team that had just come from the NFD is now in the PSL and had a very good first round of the season. I also believe that their coach is a very good young coach. We have played against him several times, so I know what he is capable of. It’s going to be interesting because this is a competition that has always been difficult for us. Kick-off has been scheduled for 15H00.

SEMIFINAL DRAW ON SUNDAY

The MTN8 semifinal draw will take place this Sunday afternoon, right after the MTN8 quarterfinal clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The draw will be LIVE on SuperSport PSL channel (202) and SABC 1.

Draw Procedure:

•    One bowl will be used for the draw – containing four balls (with the names of each semifinalist).

•    The first ball out will be the home team in the first fixture.

•    The second ball will be the away team in the first fixture.

•    The third ball out will be the home team in the second fixture.

•    The fourth ball will be the away team in the second fixture.

•           Both semifinal ties will consist of two (2) legs played on a home and away basis.