SuperSport and Sundowns vie for top spot in Tshwane derby

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena insists their mentality remains the same as they prepare to return to domestic duties for the first time in six weeks against SuperSport United on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

The Tshwane rivals are separated by just one point in the DStv Premiership standings ahead of their derby clash at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, having seen Cape Town City leapfrog both of them into top spot courtesy of a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows on Sunday.

Masandawana trail the Citizens by a single point in second place with five games in hand. Their last league outing was on September 27 when Mokwena's side beat Stellenbosch 3-1 to maintain their perfect start to the season.

The Brazilians have subsequently been involved in the African Football League - which they won - and the CAF Champions League, but Mokwena is confident that the mindset of his players won't change after a lengthy period of inactivity in the league.

"The reality is we just go one game at a time, one session at a time and we try to win on the day and whatever it is we have to participate in, we do it to the best of our ability," he said.

"That's the mentality we are trying to instil and that helps because you don't have to play tournaments or matches in relation to the competition. You play them with the objective and mentality to win the match."

The Swanky Boys are looking to snap a two-game winless run in the top flight after a 2-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United on November 12 saw them miss out on the chance to climb to the league summit.

Gavin Hunt's side are stretched thin at the moment and they won't be able to call on the services of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and striker Etiosa Ighodaro for the