Mamelodi Sundowns focused on Golden Arrows, not Kaizer Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns are on the verge of making a cup final, but all their attention will be on Saturday’s semi, according to captain Hlompho Kekana.

The Tshwane giants meet Golden Arrows in the first Telkom Knockout semi-final at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, and are favourites to progress through to the last two, despite losing to the same side in their last league outing.

Mamelodi Sundowns firmly focused on Golden Arrows

The other semi is another Gauteng vs KwaZulu-Natal affair, as Kaizer Chiefs host Maritzburg United at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Like Sundowns, Amakhosi are expected to make it to the final, which would set up a dream encounter at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

However, Kekana says his side’s attention is firmly fixed on overcoming Abafana Besthende, who staged an ambushed at the same venue the last time the two sides met.

“Obviously it (a Sundowns vs Chiefs final) will be a good match for the fans because they want to see these two teams in the final‚ but for us we are worried about the match against Arrows‚” Kekana said.

“We lost 3-2 in the league the last time we played against them recently and it was a bitter pill to swallow. This time around‚ we just have to make sure that we deal with what is in front of us.

“It goes without saying that we want to be in the final but for that to happen we must win the match.”

Hlompho Kekana

Getting back to winning ways

The semi-final comes in the middle of a lean spell for Sundowns, where they have celebrated just one victory in their last four matches, which came via a penalty shootout.

The other three matches have seen them lose twice and draw the other one.

Defender, Lyle Lakay, who was on the scoresheet the last time they played Arrows believes they can turn their fortunes around.

“We normally start doing well around this time of the year,” he said.

“We just have to try harder and break it. If you aren’t getting the result, that means you aren’t doing enough, so you have to keep pushing to break the ice and things turn around and results start coming.

“We won the league on the last day last season, we have shown that we can turn it around. When we turn it around, things will start going our way and you will see the Sundowns that you know.”

Lyle Lakay

Kick off on Saturday is at 15:00 (SAST).