Sundowns set Top8 date with Wits

“AGAINST all odds”. These are the words Pitso Mosimane is living by at the moment and his Mamelodi Sundowns players are proving they can handle the pressure of playing in three competitions at once.

Last night, Sundowns showed nerves of steel as they booked their spot in the MTN8 final thanks to a 1-0 victory over a Chippa United team. Substitute Anthony Laffor netted in the 76th minute to decide the game that ended in a goalless draw in the first leg in PE.

A spot in the MTN8 final – against Bidvest Wits at Mbombela Stadium on October 1 – has been booked and now they’ve got their eyes firmly set on reaching the CAF Champions League final.

Last night’s victory and gutsy performance will certainly give Sundowns the confidence they need to overcome Zesco United in the second leg of their semifinal on Saturday, but it was no walk in the park against Dan Malesela’s well-oiled Chippa team.

Both teams started without outand-out strikers. Leonardo Castro of Sundowns is out nursing a knock and Rhulani Manzini is also out injured.

The two coaches opted for players who are used to playing behind the striker and not as target men.

Sundowns, determined to make the most of home ground advantage, forced Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi into making two saves from Keagan Dolly and Wayne Arendse in the first two minutes. The visitors wasted quite a few opportunities, particularly in the first half.