Mamelodi Sundowns winger Lesiba Nku has provided the latest update on his fitness and sharpness ahead of their Betway Premiership encounter against Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Heritage Day on Tuesday (17:30). 

The reigning champion heads into the match on the back of a 4-0 drubbing of Eswatini champions Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League and will look to build on their 2-0 victory over cross-town rivals SuperSport United in their opening league match of the season last week. Meanwhile, Gallants have had a tough start to life back in the top-flight division after they acquired Moroka Swallows’ PSL status. 

The Bloemfontein-based outfit lost two opening matches against Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows, respectively. Nku, who joined Sundowns from Gallants in July 2023, following the club’s relegation at the end of that season, says he is raring to go ahead of the match and insists that his former club has been unlucky not to register a win so far. 

“I think I’m ready, I’ve recovered well and I’m ready to play now,” said Nku. 

“I watched all the games they’ve played so far. In their two games, they are playing very well, and they are just unlucky not to win their games. 

“But I think we must not undermine them because they lost two games and we must just stick to our plan, we will be victorious.”

Having played under both Dan Malesela and Duncan Lechesa, who recently joined Gallants as an assistant coach, Nku expects a tough encounter as he sheds light on what to expect from their opponents with his former mentors at the helm. 

“He [Malesela] likes to play tiki-taka football,” the Downs forward said. 

“He likes to keep the ball too much, which is what we do at Sundowns, so it’s going to be a competitive game and we are ready for the game. 

“No [there is not much difference], Both of them coached me, coach Duncan coached me at Polokwane City, and coach Dan coached me at Marumo, so I think it will be a good game and we will manage because we are ready for the game” 

With their highly anticipated clash against Nasreddine Nabi-led Chiefs on the horizon, Nku says they are taking it one game at a time and remain focused on the Gallants test at the moment, as they continue their title defense. 

“I think the focus is on the game that we are playing against Marumo Gallants, it’s the one that we are preparing for,” he said. 

“We take it game by game, and the one on the weekend, we will prepare for it during the week after the Gallants match.” 

Nku won the league title and the inaugural African Football League in his debut season with the Brazilians, scoring five goals and providing a solitary assist in 28 appearances across all competitions, and is eager to impress the new technical team.