Sundowns aim to set record straight against Maritzburg
They may have been deprived of a league and cup double, but Mamelodi Sundowns could wrap up the Absa Premiership title tonight when they take on Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium for the second time in four days.
Head coach Pitso Mosimane of Mamelodi Sundowns reacts on the touchline (Aubrey Kgakatsi/BackpagePix)
The Team of Choice stunned Masandawana 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup semifinals on Sunday, and this should make Pitso Mosimane’s side more determined to return the favour tonight.
Sundowns will secure the league title if they can better the result obtained by Orlando Pirates at home to Bidvest Wits at Orlando Stadium, a match also taking place this evening.
Even if Sundowns match Pirates’ result, it will pretty much guarantee them a third championship in five seasons, given their superior goal difference over the Buccaneers.
“It is a very important game, we have to do what we have to do to try and win the game,” said Mosimane.
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“We might probably not win it, but get a point if you can’t win it and don’t be emotional. There are two more games after that so you can get another six points from the rest.”
To console himself about the loss of the double, Mosimane drew comparisons to English Premier League champions Manchester City, who were looking at a potential quadruple at one point, but ended up with only half of that.
“Maritzburg are complicated but we will try because we are Sundowns and we will go for it. We will really try but it is not easy. Ask Manchester City if they never wanted the FA Cup, the Champions League and the league … you don’t buy these things, this is football,” Mosimane said.
His counterpart Fadlu Davids intends to field an equally strong team to that which outplayed Downs at the weekend. However, injuries and suspensions will factor in when he plots a back-to-back win over Masandawana.
“We want to go full strength but we will have a look at the injuries and look at the yellow card situations to be able to make a decision,” said Davids, who will be without suspended defender Rushine de Reuck.
He also made an appeal to the supporters in and around Pietermaritzburg to fill up the Harry Gwala Stadium.
“The fans are unbelievable, they have been pushing us along since January and really coming behind us and filling the stadium. I hope they can come again to fill up the stadium and give us that 12th man and that atmosphere.”
