‘Give me Pirates or Chiefs in the Nedbank’ – ex-Sundowns star

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Dan Semake says he would like his former team to play either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.

The Brazilians secured a last eight spot by beating Mpheni Defenders 2-0 on Sunday. Two goals from Bathusi Aubaas were enough to see Masandawana through despite playing with 10-men in the second half.

A win sees the big three; Chiefs, Sundowns and Pirates all reach the Nedbank Cup quarters this season. Semake was not happy with how Downs played against minnows.

“Yesterday, Sundowns dropped their playing tempo. They seemed too relaxed; they took things too easily, and for me, there is no easy game for Sundowns. It doesn’t matter what level their opponents are at,” he told SNL24.

Ex-Sundowns defender wants either Chiefs or Pirates in the Nedbank Cup

“As a club, they still have depth, but it ultimately boils down to the mentality and attitude of the players, regardless of who is replacing someone else. In South Africa, we have a problem where players’ attitudes change if they don’t make the team several times.

Semake said he would like to see Downs play against Chiefs or Pirates in the quarter-finals.

“I wish we draw clubs like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals,” said the former Sundowns defender.

“Our players’ mentality automatically shifts when facing these teams. They don’t even need the coach’s motivation against such clubs. However, our performance tends to drop against smaller clubs, and I don’t know why,” he concluded.

Sundowns have won all their games against Chiefs and Pirates this season and are one of the favourites to lift the Nedbank Cup.

Who do you want to see Downs play in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals?

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