Nedbank Cup: Predicting Mamelodi Sundowns' XI to face Royal AM

The Sundowns club captain had a quiet game against City as he registered his 11th clean sheet of the season in the league.

Onyango will be looking to lead his troops to a win over Royal which would see Masandawana reach the Nedbank Cup final for the 11th time.

The versatile defender looks set to start in position once again with Morena and Mudau out injured. 

Kekana flourished as a right-back against City and he will be determined to impress once again. 

Sundowns' set-piece specialist was rested in midweek having played 35 matches across all competitions this term including two Bafana Bafana games.

Lakay has provided nine assists and scored twice for Downs making him a vital member of the team.

The experienced defender is now Sundowns' first-choice centre back and he is a leader in the team's defence.

Mandela is most likely to be assigned to man-mark Royal's free-scoring centre forward Victor Letsoalo. 

The left-footed centre-back has been inconsistent this season which has led to him losing his place in the team.

However, Lebusa could be recalled to the starting line-up with De Reuck out injured and it would another chance to impress the technical team. 

The experienced midfield maestro has been one of the most consistent Sundowns players this season.

Jali's performance in the middle of the park could be key to the Tshwane giants securing a win in Durban.

The utility player has done fairly well as a central midfielder following Rivaldo Coetzee's injury with Jali operating in a deeper role.

Maboe will be hoping to dominate the midfield battle when he faces Royal's tough-tackling midfield general Lantshane Phalane.

The experienced playmaker, who has won the Nedbank Cup twice with Downs, tends to raise his game in big games.

Zwane will be eager to play an important role in helping the Brazilians reach their second Nedbank Cup finals since 2020.

The versatile attacker is mostly to be recalled to the starting line-up after featuring as a substitute against the Citizens.

Sirino's trickery and incisive passes could unsettle Thwihli Thwahla's defence with the Durban side undefeated in their last 12 competitive games.

The left-sided player was handed a rare start in midweek and he didn't disappoint as he produced a Man of the Match performance. 

Modiba might be rewarded with another starting berth due to his current form.

The lethal striker will be relishing facing Royal having scored twice against the KwaZulu-Natal outfit in a league clash in December last year.

Shalulile scored a hat-trick in Downs' last away domestic game which was against Swallows FC on April 6.