Dikwena tsa Meetse ended their first season in the South African top-flight in 13th place, just four points above relegated Cape Town City.

They started the current campaign with a 0-0 draw with Polokwane City before holding Stellenbosch to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Sundowns cruised to an eighth successive Premiership title last term and after starting their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Chippa United, the Brazilians have since thrashed Richards Bay 4-0. They are also tied at 1-1 following the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final.

Reflecting on his side's recent draw with Pirates, Sundowns boss Miguel Cardoso said on Goal: "It was a more emotional match than a rational match, and with different moments – in one moment one team was up, and in other moments the other team was in control. I think we should've had more brains and fewer emotions at the end of the match."

Magesi head coach, who took over at Owen da Gama at the club this season, added on SuperSport: "The players are getting better and better. You can see with the few weeks I have been with the team, you can see an improvement, and I strongly beleive that going forward they will be much, much, much better."

Maduka explained that Magesi can surprise a few teams this season as they will be playing a different style than what other clubs are used to seeing from them.

"They understand how we want to play, and with the players we have, the willingness to learn, the desire is all there from the players," said the head cosch.

Sundowns, meanwhile, will make a late decision on whether or not to include Themba Zwane in the squad after he was withdrawn with an injury from the MTN8 first-leg.

Zwane was replaced by Jayden Adams, but Cardoso said the injury was not too serious, explaining: "We are still awaiting a complete medical assessment on Zwane's injury, but we hope that it is not too serious.

“No one likes to lose a player to injury, especially if that player is Themba Zwane, someone with maturity and quality to play in the big matches.”

Magesi gear up for Mamelodi Sundowns test