Slugfest in city on Saturday
MAMELODI Sundowns are quite literally in enemy territory today as they face AS Vita Club, a side still holding a mountain of a grudge after the Brazilians took their place in the CAF Champions League last year following their disqualification.
The Democratic Republic of Congo outfit, although deservedly punished for fielding an ineligible player, still feel they were in the strongest possible position to win the tournament as they broke into the group stages.
Instead it was Sundowns who went all the way to clinch the Holy Grail, bouncing back from being knocked out by Vita in the play-offs for the group stages over two legs and again by Ghana’s Medeama at a similar stage, but in the CAF Confederation Cup this time.
Pitso Mosimane, the Sundowns coach, even claimed recently that attempts to organise a friendly match between the South African side and Vita was rejected, probably on the grounds that the DRC team still harboured ill feelings.
The Brazilians were on the road as early as Sunday to try and acclimatise to the hot conditions in Kinshasa and the artificial pitch they will be playing today (kick-off 4.30pm SA time).
Crucial to prepare
It’s crucial to prepare early given how the headto-head sheet doesn’t favour Sundowns, who have beaten Vita just once in four previous fixtures, coach Florent Ibenge’s men winning twice and the other match ending in a stalemate.
One man hoping to give the Brazilians the edge is Themba Park grounds in New Park.
According to Delport, Legendary Boxing Promotions has since then staged fights for amateur boxers almost every month in various towns in the Province. The duo have big plans to stage a bigger tournament with an all professional outfit later this year in Kimberley.
Robain said local clubs that have confirmed their participation at Saturday’s event include promoter Kgang Mothobi’s Freedom Boxing Club as well as Just Do It Boxing Club and Home Defenders Boxing Club.
Visiting teams are: Blossom Boxing Club (Warrenton), 9 SAI Boxing Club (Cape Town), Tsha Tsha Boxing Club (Postmasburg), Bosasa Boxing Club (De Aar), Gauteng Boxing Academy (Johannesburg) and Smiling Tigers Boxing Club (based in the Free State). Zwane, especially after Sundowns could only manage a goalless draw at home against Saint George of Ethiopia in their opening group stages fixture 11 days ago.
“I think we are expecting the same intensity as before,” said Zwane on facing Vita. “We know them well because we played each other a few times already. We also watched their previous game (a 3-1 defeat away to Esperance) and they use their pace to go forward and they will wait for the counter. So we are clear about what to expect and we have been given instructions on how to deal with that.”
Both sides haven’t had the ideal start to their group stages campaign, and with Sundowns being defending champions, Zwane admitted to being a little anxious.
“We needed the win in our opening game, obviously, but we got a draw, which I didn’t think was too bad,” the winger said.
“We are going into this second game knowing we have to win. I think people have that expectation now that we are trying to retain the trophy. We are feeling a little bit under pressure, but we know how to handle it.”