Pitso defends Mphela

Sundowns played to a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday night, but Mosimane says he is expecting a much improved performance from his players in the Windy City.

It will be the first time Mosimane will be facing United since taking over the coaching reins at Sundowns late last year, but he says he is well aware of the danger posed by strikers Cuthbert Malajila and Terrence Mandaza.

“It’s tough, we’re playing a very strong team in Maritzburg United,” Mosimane says.

“I think we all know what they are capable of, lots of counter attacks, lot of fresh legs and their strikers are quick. They fight, I saw them play against [Kaizer] Chiefs and [Orlando] Pirates, they are strong team and we are playing them away – it’s not going to be easy.

“We need energy but I hope they lost energy on Tuesday when they played AmaZulu. We will be up for the challenge.”

Despite them failing to get the ball past Itumeleng Khune at home on Tuesday, Mosimane defended Nyasha Mushekwi and Katlego Mphela.

“It’s difficult with ‘Killer’ because we’ve had games back to back and we need him, but I could see against Chiefs on Tuesday that he had no legs to finish the game. Nyasha did his best, he was still strong when I pulled him off, I just wanted a different combination. Maybe we could have got something.

“They’ve been scoring goals last year, Killer played about four games and scored two, Nyasha too, he is always there in the box, but against Chiefs it was difficult. But everyone must score, not only the strikers.”