No more early exit woes for 'Downs

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns will look to erase early MTN8 exit memory by battling for a TKO semi-final place against AmaZulu.

Sundowns advanced into the last eight of the Telkom Knockout after a 2-1 extra time win over local rivals University of Pretoria, with Tebogo Langerman and Elias Pelembe scoring their goals.

The Tshwane team has played 20 Telkom Knockout matches since the tournament’s inception in 2006, recording 12 wins, two draws and six defeats. They have lost both of the penalty shootouts they have been involved in.

The Brazilians have twice reached the final in the Telkom Knockout era (2007/08 & 2012/13), but failed to claim the trophy on either occasion.

In League Cup history, ‘Downs have won the tournament twice (1990 & 1999) and ended as runners-up four times (1997, 1998, 2007 & 2012).

AmaZulu advanced into the last eight of the Telkom Knockout thanks to their first competitive win of the 2014/15 season: 3-2 at home to Bloemfontein Celtic. Marc van Heerden, Kulegani Madondo and Bornwell Mwape scored their goals.

The Durban side has played 13 Telkom Knockout matches since the tournament’s inception in 2006, recording four wins, one draw and eight defeats. They won the only penalty shootout they have been involved in.

Usuthu’s best showing in the Telkom Knockout era arrived in the 2009/10 season when they reached the semifinals. They were beaten 2-0 by eventual runners-up Ajax Cape Town.

In League Cup history, AmaZulu have won the tournament once (1992).

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and AmaZulu have met in four cup clashes since 1985.

The Brazilians boast an unbeaten record, with three wins and draw from the quartet of matches, though the one stalemate saw Usuthu go on to win a post-match penalty shootout.

The teams’ most recent cup meeting was in the 2012 Telkom Knockout: ‘Downs won 2-0 away from home in a quarterfinal en-route to ending as runners-up in the competition.

Overall, the teams have met in 56 matches across all competitions since 1985.

The Brazilians have 37 wins to their name compared to just six for Usuthu, while 13 matches have been drawn.

Sundowns have won 18 of their 28 home matches against AmaZulu down the years, suffering just four defeats in the process.

The Tshwane side has won the last three successive matches between the teams at an aggregate score of 11-1. That includes a 2-0 home win from a league clash earlier this season.

Loftus Stadium play host on Saturday, October 25 with the kick-off scheduled for 17:30.