admin
Mamelodi Sundowns will square off with Orlando Pirates in a titanic Absa Premiership game at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium today.
The Brazilians are coming off a hard-fought 1-0 away win to Bloemfontein Celtic in their previous league game which was played in midweek.
The victory extended Sundowns’ winning run to three league matches. The winning streak began after they lost to Ajax Cape Town three months ago.
The defending league champions have a good home record having recorded four wins and one defeat which was against Cape Town City.
Sundowns are placed fifth on the league standings with 22 points from 10 matches. Log leaders SuperSport United have 28 points — having played 15 games.
The player to watch out for in the Sundowns team is Percy Tau, who has been a revelation for his side this season — having scored four league goals.
The Tshwane giants will be without their first-choice centre back Wayne Arendse, who is suspended after receiving a fourth booking during the clash with Celtic.
Pitso Mosimane, the Sundowns coach, insists that they are not paying attention to the league table as they are only focused on winning their games.
“We are looking at the next game. Orlando Pirates is the next game,” Mosimane said.
“We don’t have him (Arendse) against Orlando Pirates, but look we got Thabo Nthethe, we got Bangaly (Soumahoro) who can come in and slot in there.
“Look, hectic, hectic programme, that’s why we rested Khama also, we took him out. That’s why we kept Mabunda, he’s also on a yellow and Kekana is on a yellow, so at least I must have one for Saturday,” he added.
“One needs the three points. Sometimes we like to score five or four, but we just need the three points. So let’s go step by step, one goal at a time and don’t look at the top.”
Meanwhile, Pirates’ woes continued when they were held to a goalless stalemate by Platinum Stars away in a league game which was played in midweek.
This draw extended the Soweto giants’ winless run to five matches in the league. They have registered two defeats and three draws during their current form.
The last time Pirates tasted victory in the league was against Chippa United three months ago and this was their second away league victory this season.
Bucs currently find themselves placed 10th on the league log with 19 points from 14 games. They are just a point behind eighth-placed Golden Arrows.
Tendai Ndoro, the Pirates striker and current league top goalscorer, hasn’t scored in three games. Bucs will be hoping that he rediscovers his scoring form against Sundowns.
Pirates caretaker coach Augusto Palacios has discussed his side’s title aspirations ahead of their highly anticipated clash with Sundowns.
“We are playing Sundowns over the weekend. We need to work on the scoring and finishing our chances,” Palacios said.
“You know, let me tell you something in football. You cannot predict but you can think mathematically.
“Nineteen points and 28 points, you are talking about nine points. You think about one game in hand,” he continued.
“You may never never know, sometimes you win two games in succession and you are in a different position,” he added.
“Let’s hope. We need to continue to work hard. You say nine points is too far but you need to continue to fight.”
The last time Sundowns and Pirates met in a league game was 12 months ago. The Brazilians emerged 2-1 winners in Orlando, Soweto.
Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat hit the back of the net for Sundowns, while Mpho Makola grabbed Pirates’ consolation goal.
Absa Premiership Fixtures
Saturday: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates (Loftus Versfeld Stadium 15:30), Golden Arrows v Bloemfontein Celtic (Princess Magogo Stadium 15:30), Ajax Cape Town v Cape Town City FC (Cape Town Stadium 20:15), Maritzburg United v Kaizer Chiefs (Harry Gwala Stadium 20:15).
Sunday: Highlands Park v Polokwane City (Makhulong Stadium 15:30).
Absa log
P Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 SuperSport United 15 7 7 1 26 10 16 28
2 Bidvest Wits 14 8 4 2 23 12 11 28
3 Cape Town City FC 16 8 4 4 21 18 3 28
4 Kaizer Chiefs 16 7 6 3 21 13 8 27
5 Mamelodi Sundowns 10 7 1 2 19 6 13 22
6 Polokwane City 16 5 7 4 20 21 -1 22
7 Maritzburg United 16 4 8 4 15 16 -1 20
8 Golden Arrows 16 5 5 6 17 23 -6 20
9 Chippa United 15 5 4 6 16 13 3 19
10 Orlando Pirates 14 4 7 3 15 17 -2 19
11 Ajax Cape Town 16 5 3 8 17 23 -6 18
12 Platinum Stars 15 3 6 6 16 17 -1 15
13 Bloemfontein Celtic 15 3 6 6 8 13 -5 15
14 Free State Stars 16 3 5 8 13 22 -9 14
15 Highlands Park 16 2 7 7 18 32 -14 13
16 Baroka FC 16 2 6 8 13 22 -9 12
— SuperSport
Online Reporter