Wits braced for battle against Sundowns
Midfielder Xola Mlambo says Bidvest Wits must be prepared to fight for their lives again as they face Mamelodi Sundowns today in an Absa Premiership encounter.
Sibusiso Vilakazi of Mamelodi Sundowns and Xola Mlambo of Bidvest Wits battle for the ball.(Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)
The Clever Boys held off Sundowns in last season’s title race, but have endured a dreadful first few months of the new campaign, sitting second bottom of the table heading into this week’s fixtures.
Gavin Hunt’s side have, however, been buoyed in recent weeks by a couple of wins that have taken them into the Telkom Knockout final, with progress to the December 2 showpiece against Bloemfontein Celtic secured with a battling 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
READ: Pienaar to miss Sundowns clash
Wits still looked far from their best against Amakhosi, but dug deep to hang on against a 10-man Chiefs, with Mlambo giving a Man-of-the-Match performance.
“It will be a different ball game,” said Mlambo.
“This was a cup game (against Chiefs) and we are going into a league game but if we can adopt the same approach and fighting spirit, hopefully lady luck will be on our side again. It is never easy playing teams like Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates, you always have to do whatever it takes.”
READ: Sundowns and Wits chase Ajax striker
One of the more positive sights for Wits fans on Saturday had to be Mlambo back in central midfield alongside Thabang Monare, a partnership that got Wits off to a brilliant start last season, where they set a ferocious pace in the title race and won the MTN8. Since then, however, injuries have rather scuppered their challenge.
“I have to take it one step at a time,” said Mlambo, who has made just three league starts.
“Every opportunity I have to accept and appreciate. We know we (Mlambo and Monare) had a good thing last season, but we could not start this season like we did the last, we know there are brilliant players surrounding us and when you get an injury, whoever gets an opportunity makes sure they play to the best of their ability.”
Wits still have their injury worries, with Hunt unsure if any of the players that missed the Chiefs game would be back for Sundowns. That includes captain Thulani Hlatshwayo who did not recover from a toe problem in time to face Amakhosi.
ALSO READ: Sundowns chasing Wits midfielder
