Carling Knockout Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns look to extend dominance over Marumo Gallants

The Tshwane giants have won all their previous three knockout cup encounters against Gallants and have never lost a league fixture against the Bloemfontein-based team.

However, the two sides played to a 1-1 draw recently in the Betway Premiership and Masandawana head coach Miguel Cardoso is expecting another tough encounter.

"We played Marumo recently away, we all know that this season they have not lost to us, Pirates, or Chiefs," said the Portuguese coach.

"So, we expect a tough opponent, but we are also preparing the best way. We had a chance this week to prepare for the match with training sessions, which is not unique for us but positive.

"We need to be different from where we were in the league. We need to be more aggressive," he added to reporters at the pre-match conference.

The visitors will be under pressure to end an eight-match winless run since defeating Orlando Pirates in their league clash in August.

Gallants 28-year-old head coach Alexandre Lafitte will hope his team rises to the occasion against a very strong Sundowns side that has been boosted by the arrival of exciting midfielder Nuno Santos and others.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have failed to score more than one goal in their last eight matches despite some encouraging displays from midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and forward Daniel Msendami.

"I am a winner," said Lafitte.

"And I am here to improve the team and help the team compete against the best in this country."

The two teams will lock horns at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday, kick off is at 20H00.