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Mamelodi Sundowns vs Polokwane City MTN 8 Cup Predictions - Sundowns to brush Polokwane aside to hit semis

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 07 Aug 2026

Simon Lewis 07 Aug 2026

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Sundowns’ first League match was postponed so they have yet to play a MTN 8 Cupetitive match this season.
Polokwane City enjoyed a 2-1 win over Richards Bay in their first match of the Premiership season.
Sundowns' lack of game time suggests we might be in for a low-scoring match.

Expired

Sundowns against AS FAR (Getty Images).

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Polokwane City Predictions

Polokwane will be upbeat about their chances after their opening win, while Sundowns are likely to be a bit rusty, although The Brazilians remain the firm favourites for the win.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Polokwane City Predictions
Head-to-Head
Mamelodi Sundowns Form
Polokwane City Form

Mamelodi Sundowns have scored 6 goals in their last 5 games.
Mamelodi Sundowns haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 5 matches.
Mamelodi Sundowns have been winless in their last 3 matches.
Polokwane City have won just 1 of their last 5 matches.
Polokwane City won their opening League match 2-1 away to Richards Bay.
Polokwane City have been goalless in 3 of their last 5 matches.

Head-to-Head

Sundowns have won four of their last five matches against Polokwane, with four clean sheets. Polokwane have one win in that stretch of matches, a 1-0 victory back in 2024.

Mamelodi Sundowns Form

Sundowns will be eager to make an immediate statement after a disrupted build-up to the new season. Miguel Cardoso’s side have had to deal with a difficult emotional period following the death of midfielder Jayden Adams, while the postponement of their opening league fixture means this cup tie becomes their first competitive outing.

Domestically, Sundowns also have a point to prove. For all their success in recent years, including their latest CAF Champions League triumph, they have not lifted the MTN8 since 2021. Defender Aubrey Modiba has admitted the club must improve in local competitions after recent disappointments in finals and semi-finals.

Sundowns will again look to their experienced core, with Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende and Modiba likely to be important figures. New signings could also come into contention, although Brayan León is unavailable through suspension. With quality across the pitch, Sundowns should still have enough firepower to control the tie if they settle quickly.

Polokwane City Form

Polokwane City arrive in Tshwane with confidence after starting their season with victory over Richards Bay. Goals from Ndamulelo Maphangule and Tidimalo Molokwane helped them secure a valuable away win, and both players should again be central to their attacking plans.

Moloto has spoken about building on continuity rather than making sweeping changes, and that stability could be important against a Sundowns side still searching for rhythm. Polokwane finished seventh in the league last season and will see this match as a chance to show they can compete with the country’s strongest teams.

Their approach is likely to be disciplined and compact, with Thabang Matuludi important at right-back and Puleng Marema offering pace and experience in attack. History favours Sundowns, who have won both recent league meetings and knocked Polokwane out of the 2024 MTN8 on penalties, but cup football can be awkward. If City defend well and take their chances, they have enough to make this uncomfortable for the hosts.

Verdict

Mamelodi Sundowns v Polokwane City

Sundowns are backed to win despite having not had any competitive game time, but Polokwane have our backing to score at least once.

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.