Malesela warns Downs

Chippa United coach Dan Malesela has warned Mamelodi Sundowns to expect a fight when the two sides meet in a league fixture tonight.

The log leaders host the sixth-placed Chilli Boys at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville and Malesela said yesterday that he's not at all bothered by his side's underdogs tag.

"I know that nobody expects us to beat Sundowns, but we are not going to sit back . We will initiate [attacks]. We will try to counter what's gonna be thrown at us. No game is easy and it is not just about Sundowns, so we try to adjust to every situation that comes," he said.

The former Sundowns defender said the focus is firmly on guiding his charges to victory rather than on the fact he played for the Tshwane side.

"That does not count. You must forget where you come from and focus on where you are. It's like you have your house and you can't be complaining about going back home. You can't be saying, 'I want my father and my mom' but 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 commented. "Everyone wants the points and as Mamelodi Sundowns we will go out there to apply ourselves and see if we can get the three points."

Bongani Zungu, meanwhile, is set to miss up to two months of football, according to Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. "He's on a POP, and that's at least six weeks out. If you add rehabilitation it's longer," he said, adding he could play Teko Modise in central midfield to partner Kekana in Zungu's prolonged absence.