Chippa's underdogs eager for Sundowns scrap

02 February 2016 - 02:05 By Tiyani wa ka Mabasa

Log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have picked up an impressive 26 points from a possible 30 in their past 10 Absa Premiership matches, but Chippa United coach Dan Malesela has warned their hosts to expect a fight when the two sides clash in the league tonight. Masandawana host the sixth-placed Chilli Boys at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, and Malesela said on Monday he was not bothered by the underdog tag."I know that nobody expects us to beat Sundowns, but we are not going to sit back. We will initiate. We will try to counter what's gonna be thrown at us."No game is easy, so we try to adjust to every situation," he said.The former Sundowns defender further said the focus was firmly on guiding his charges to victory rather than on the fact he once played for the Tshwane side."That does not count. You must forget where you come from and focus on where you are. You can't be complaining about going back home. You can't be saying: 'I want my father and my mom' when you are married'," Malesela joked.Sundowns strongman Hlompho Kekana expects the visitors to put up a fight."We know facing any team at this time of the season makes the job even more difficult. We will see what happens," Kekana said."Everyone wants the points and as Mamelodi Sundowns we will go out there to apply ourselves to see if we can get the three points. It is difficult for us as Mamelodi Sundowns, because the expectations are always high. We will see."Chippa United midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni could miss the clash with his former employers because of a stomach bug.Bongani Zungu will not feature for the hosts as he is out with a shin injury for four to six weeks.Chippa United have won two but lost five of their last seven league games on the road.TV HighlightsTodayCricket: ICC U19 Cricket World Cup - West Indies v Zimbabwe from 4.30am -1.30pm, Momentum One Day Cup - VKB Knights v Sunfoil Dolphins from 1.45pm, both on SS2Soccer: Absa Premiership - Golden Arrows v Kaizer Chiefs from 6.30pm on SS4Mamelodi Sundowns v Chippa United from 7pm on SS5 and SS9Jomo Cosmos v Black Aces from 7.30pm on SABC 1English Premier League - Leicester City v Liverpool from 9am on SS3Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth from 9.55pm on SS4Arsenal v Southampton from 9.35pm on SS5Sunderland v Man City from 9.35pm on SS6Man Utd v Stoke City from 9.50pm on SS7Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur from 9.35pm on SS8West Ham United v Aston Villa from 9.35pm on SS9..

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