Sipho Mthembu
Sipho Mthembu
On-song Mamelodi Sundowns striker Jose Torrealba will fly direct from his native Venezuela, where he had been on national duty, to Swaziland to finish off his business against Royal Leopards on Sunday.
The pocket-sized Venezuelan international ran riot, grabbing a hat trick as the Brazilians hammered Leopards 4-2 in a CAF Champions League first round, first leg match a fortnight ago.
And his coach Gordon Igesund has no doubt that Torrealba - suspended for two games in the domestic league after he got a red card against Kaizer, Chiefs but eligible for Sunday's match - will be pivotal to beating Leopards.
"We are approaching Sunday's as a completely new game, which we have to win. We are not going to sit back and protect the first leg result.
"We expect Leopards to come at us. They have nothing to lose and will come out looking for the two goals they need, but we are ready for anything," said Igesund, whose only absentee is David Kannemeyer.
The left-back picked up a groin strain against Chiefs.
Both Sundowns and Leopards come from morale boosting wins last weekend. Sundowns' win against Chiefs was more creditable while Leopards beat unknown Ventumoya 1-0 in the Swazi Cup.
Incidentally, Torrealba scored before he was sent off against Amakhosi and Mzwandile Mamba, who scored against Sundowns in Atteridgeville, was also the scorer of the lone cup goal at the weekend.
Leopards coach Musa Zwane warned: "Sundowns must expect a much improved performance from us. Now that we know what to expect we have prepared thoroughly and I don't see them leaving Swaziland in a happy mood."
Zwane also had his full team to work with after Mamba returned from a knock he picked in the weekend's cup game.
l Tickets for the Sundowns-Pirates game at Loftus on Valentine's Day are on sale at Computicket. Suite tickets selling for R500 are available at the club's Chloorkop offices on (011) 393-5007.
Sundowns striker holds the aces against Royal Leopards
Sipho Mthembu
Sipho Mthembu
On-song Mamelodi Sundowns striker Jose Torrealba will fly direct from his native Venezuela, where he had been on national duty, to Swaziland to finish off his business against Royal Leopards on Sunday.
The pocket-sized Venezuelan international ran riot, grabbing a hat trick as the Brazilians hammered Leopards 4-2 in a CAF Champions League first round, first leg match a fortnight ago.
And his coach Gordon Igesund has no doubt that Torrealba - suspended for two games in the domestic league after he got a red card against Kaizer, Chiefs but eligible for Sunday's match - will be pivotal to beating Leopards.
"We are approaching Sunday's as a completely new game, which we have to win. We are not going to sit back and protect the first leg result.
"We expect Leopards to come at us. They have nothing to lose and will come out looking for the two goals they need, but we are ready for anything," said Igesund, whose only absentee is David Kannemeyer.
The left-back picked up a groin strain against Chiefs.
Both Sundowns and Leopards come from morale boosting wins last weekend. Sundowns' win against Chiefs was more creditable while Leopards beat unknown Ventumoya 1-0 in the Swazi Cup.
Incidentally, Torrealba scored before he was sent off against Amakhosi and Mzwandile Mamba, who scored against Sundowns in Atteridgeville, was also the scorer of the lone cup goal at the weekend.
Leopards coach Musa Zwane warned: "Sundowns must expect a much improved performance from us. Now that we know what to expect we have prepared thoroughly and I don't see them leaving Swaziland in a happy mood."
Zwane also had his full team to work with after Mamba returned from a knock he picked in the weekend's cup game.
l Tickets for the Sundowns-Pirates game at Loftus on Valentine's Day are on sale at Computicket. Suite tickets selling for R500 are available at the club's Chloorkop offices on (011) 393-5007.