AmaTuks eager to learn from Sundowns - coach Tlisane Motaung

AmaTuks are the only remaining lower division outfit in the competition, and the odds are heavily stacked against them after being drawn against the reigning DStv Premiership champions for a spot in the last four next month. 

Tlisane, however, sees the fixture as an opportunity for growth. 

"For me, it's a draw against a very difficult team – of course, one of the best on the continent, and the most important thing is to allow our players an opportunity to be on a stage with the best team and great players," said Tlisane.

"And it's really to learn and share the space, and compete. And, more than anything, not to put pressure on them. Our plan is very simple – it's to do things that we feel have been working for us throughout this campaign.

"And although we know that tactically, on the day, we'll have to be superb, and it's what we're going to work on. But ultimately the game belongs to the players, it's an opportunity for them to showcase their talent."

AmaTuks beat two topflight sides in Cape Town Spurs and Moroka Swallows en route this stage of the Nedbank Cup, while Sundowns also faced second tier teams in the first two rounds – thumping La Masia 6-1 before overcoming Maritzburg United 2-0 at the weekend.

Although The Brazilians are near impossible to break down, Tlisane suggested Tuks could be forced to take an aggressive approach instead of matching their opponents’ possession-based style of play.

"Playing aggressively is part of our game. We are a little bit more direct in our approach, and our nature is to be aggressive, even in training," he added.

"At times it becomes unfortunate for us because we end up getting red cards, and some of them you can debate, but aggression is part of our game and we play that way irrespective of the opponent we are playing against.

"In this case, we are going to play against very technically and tactically sound players of Mamelodi Sundowns, and whether it shall work on the way, shall be seen."

READ: Frank Mpedi outlines University of Pretoria's Nedbank Cup ambitions