Pitso, Thobejane take centre stage
Tonight promises to be a mouth-watering Absa Premiership encounter between Mamelodi Sundowns and Baroka FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Kgoloko Thobejane (L) and Pitso Mosimane (R)
The spotlight will not only be on the talent that Masandawana possess or Bakgaga’s great form, which sees them setting the pace.
Some of the attention will be directed towards the two outspoken coaches in the division – Sundowns’ Pitso Mosimane, who has all the individual accolades as a coach, against the self-proclaimed “best” coach in the Premier Soccer League – Kgoloko Thobejane.
By his own account, Baroka coach does not need any accolades as he prides himself in his side’s position, having lost just once, against newly Telkom Knockout champions and defending league champions Bidvest Wits – the Limpopo side lead the pack on 19 points. By all accounts, it is an impressive run of form by a side that was staring relegation in the face for most of last season.
However, Baroka have not won in the league since October, while Sundowns are on a mission to rediscover their form as they have won two of their last three league ties including wins over Orlando Pirates and Wits. A set of three points tonight for the Brazilians could easily see them move into the top three.
Going into this encounter, Mosimane will be pleased with Khama Billiat’s return to form following lukewarm performances when he returned from injury. Billiat showed his class when Downs outclassed The Students, proving that even though his days are numbered at Chloorkop, the side can still depend on him to produce the results.
Mosimane’s side – which has played three games fewer than Baroka – found themselves in the same predicament towards the end of last season following their return from the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan where they had a handful of games in hand.
Had they won those games, Sundowns would have easily overtaken Wits for the league title. Mosimane will be hoping his side have learnt from last season’s mistakes.
