Under-strength Brazilians keen to avoid La Masia banana skin

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has backed Peter Shalulile to rediscover his form as they kick off their Nedbank Cup title challenge against NB La Masia at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, February 20. Kick-off is at 7pm CAT (SA, GMT+2), live on SuperSport.

Current form:

The Brazilians are flying high in the DStv Premiership, although they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Orlando Pirates on Saturday, February 17, which has their third stalemate in four top-flight outings.

Mokwena's side still boast a nine-point lead over the chasing pack with two games in hand and their record in the Nedbank Cup is good as they've not lost to lower-league opposition in 17 matches since 2008.

Sundowns have won the title four times in the last 16 years and they were knocked out by Stellenbosch in the quarterfinals last season as defending champions.

NB La Masia are making their debut in Ke Yona and their opening game in the preliminary round was a thriller as they defeated Baroka 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Daine Klate's side are winless in their last four Motsepe Foundation Championship encounters, having played out to a 0-0 draw with JDR Stars on Friday, February 16 to sit 10th in the standings, four points above the relegation zone.

What was said:

Shalulile has struggled for goals this season, finding the back of the net just nine times in 20 appearances across all competitions for Sundowns, while he failed to score in Namibia's run to the round of 16 at the recently-concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Mokwena has faith in his talisman to find his scoring boots again as the striker looks to add to his 14 goals in the Nedbank Cup, which is a record in the competition.

"His performances at Afcon and not scoring