Gomora United FC coach Ashley Makhanya has admitted this could be the worst time to meet Mamelodi Sundowns as the two teams clash in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
The Brazilians have been unconvincing this season, highlighted by entering 2026 trailing Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership title race. Although they have reclaimed the lead, they have the same number of points as the Buccaneers and are on top courtesy of a superior goal-difference.
Pirates have a game in hand which could give them an edge in this race to be crowned PSL champions. On the continental front, which is their top priority, Masandawana are second in Group C of the CAF Champions League with two games to go.
They go into the Gomora match bruised from last Friday’s 2-1 defeat by Al Hilal Omdurman in the Champions League. It was a result which allowed the Sudanese giants to go three points clear of Group C.
Pressure continues to mount on coach Miguel Cardoso who has broken what had become the norm that Sundowns would usually qualify for the quarter-finals with one or two group games to spare.
GOMORA COACH WARY OF A SUNDOWNS FIRESTORM
Gomora now face a limping Sundowns and Makhanya has refused to read into their opponents’ difficult patch as being weak but sees them as dangerous.
“I don’t think from our perspective, we look too much into that they lost their recent match in the Champions League. That is way above our level,” said Makhanya.
“I don’t think we look at them and say they are there for the taking. Infact, that makes them even more dirty-minded come Wednesday from that defeat.
“This game is perfect for them because after a defeat the best way is to recover. We know we are in big trouble because of that.
“They are going to come firing from all cylinders just to get their confidence and morale back. So we know from the beginning of the match it’s going to be tough.”
MAKHANYA UNFAZED BY GOMORA PLAYERS BEING STAR-STRUCK BY SUNDOWNS STARS
Gomora face Sundowns a few days after defender and former Orlando Pirates centre-back Justice Chabalala left the club. They can, however, still rely on ex-Kaizer Chiefs winger Thato Makua and the experience of veteran forward Mxolisi Macuphu.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit has most of their players inexperienced and could be star-struck while facing Sundowns superstars. But Makhanya believes boyhood loyalties mean nothing on matchday.
“You don’t really guard against that [players being star-struck]. For anyone who has played professional football or who is currently a professional footballer right now, they always have their boyhood club, the team they supported growing up,” said the former Bidvest Wits star.
“They have their idols, but once you get to that level, you then understand that this is work, this is professional football. You are not there to admire anyone.
“So, just as they have their idols, some of them might be Sundowns supporters, but you have young boys who are ambitious and want to achieve something, show their qualities. When the platform is there, then all that goes out the window,” he went on.
“I’m not bothered about that they will be playing, looking at Themba Zwane or staring [at Sundowns players]. It doesn’t happen like that, for every footballer, once you get on the pitch, you want to show your qualities against the very same idol you have admired growing up.”
RELATED STORY: Ex-Chiefs man Makua’s Gomora contract details emerge