Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lebohang Maboe says they will not be underestimating Royal AM when they host the KwaZulu-Natal club on Wednesday (19:30), with John Maduka’s side having been crushed in the first round of the Carling Knockout over the weekend.

Royal AM was crushed 3-0 by Cape Town City, while Masandawana walloped another KZN side, beating them 5-0 on Saturday to book a spot in the Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinals. 

The Pretoria side take on Thwihli Thwahla, who despite sitting in ninth place, still remains one of the three teams who have not lost a single league game, registering four draws in as many matches. 

With the defending league champions also unbeaten and already laying a foundation at the top of the table, Maboe reiterated that he does not expect Wednesday’s clash to be a walk in the park, given they are still the team to beat. 

“I am expecting a big fight, they are a team that hasn’t been doing well in the past games and as you know, any team that comes against us they will be willing to sweat blood even,” reiterated the 30-year-old. 

Despite possessing a relatively efficient defense, conceding just a single goal in their first four games of the season, MaMkhize’s troops will be facing their biggest test yet in Sundowns who are currently the highest-scoring team in the league with 10 goals in just three games. 

Royal AM however look to be playing on defense priority having only scored a single goal in their four games, a worrying factor going against one of the best defensive structures in the league. 

Already wary of AM’s attacking strategies, Maboe uttered, “They are not a team that looks to play a lot from the back, they play a lot from second balls and if we can manage the second balls, I think we’ve got a greater chance in winning the game.” 

Already asserting his philosophy, the Brazilian’s coach, Manqoba Mngqithi has displayed a sophisticated style of play, interchanging from fast paced direct football to possession-based patient build up in attempts to penetrate low block defenses. 

In acknowledging his team’s impressive offensive prowess, the former Maritzburg United midfielder affirmed that a low block defense from John Maduka’s troops is the last of Downs worries. 

“I think they will be sitting a bit back, I think they won’t be as adventurous as other teams have been against us. I think we’ve got a very great squad, we’ve got players who can break down any defence on any given day,” confidently asserted the Downs star. 

Masandawana is one of three CAF competition participants who will be playing midweek games. On Tuesday, Pirates welcome SuperSport United to Orlando Stadium while CAF Confederations Cup participants, Stellenbosch FC are away to Chippa United on Wednesday.