Sundowns face Stellenbosch FC in a Betway Premiership clash at Loftus Versveld on Wednesday evening.
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Jayden Adams expects his former team, Stellenbosch FC, to “come out firing” against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership fixture at Loftus Versveld on Wednesday evening (7:30pm start).
The Bafana Bafana midfielder, who earned his reputation at the Maroons in the Western Cape, before moving up to the nation's capital, has been in peak form for Sundowns over the past month.
He has been an integral part of League champions’ 10-match domestic unbeaten streak, whilst also playing a pivotal role in Sundowns’ progressing to consecutive CAF Champions League finals.
For all the recent success, Adams is still wary of Gavin Hunt’s side, especially after Stellenbosch themselves have experienced a resurgence to put them in contention for a top eight spot.
“Going into the league, I think for us it's just to keep going, keep on winning and focus on ourselves and take it game for game,” Adams said.
“(Stellenbosch) are obviously a hard-running team, well-organised, well-coached. We must expect them to come out firing because they came off a win last week so they're going to be confident. They're going to come at us but we're going to be ready.”
A victory over Stellenbosch will see Sundowns return to top of the Betway Premiership table. Orlando Pirates currently lead 'Downs by two points, although the league champions have two matches in hand.
Hunt, meanwhile, is under no illusions of what is expected from his team at Sundowns’ Loftus Fortress.
“It was important for us to win last week, especially coming into the Sundowns game,” Hunt said
“They are, for me, certainly one of the top sides in Africa. We are under no illusions about what we face and what will be a very difficult task.
“They haven’t lost in about 52 games at Loftus and at home, so it won’t be easy. I’m looking forward to it, though, and we’ll go there with a good plan and see if it works.
“We can only play to our full ability, and we will need to do the right things at the right time, but that’s football.”
Stellenbosch will be without two key players - Asekho Tiwani and Kobamelo Kodisang - who are both on loan from Sundowns, and can therefore not face their parent club due to the regulations of the deal.
“Tiwani is a big blow because he’s been our left fullback and played the majority of the second round and been very good for us,” Hunt reflected.
“That’s a blow for us, but it is what it is. In football, all around the world, you control what you can and can’t do when players get loaned out.
“We just have to try to concentrate in his absence. Omega [Mdaka] will come in, and I’m sure he will do a good job for us.”