Bloem woes won’t derail Sundowns
Morena expects tough encounter
Bloemfontein Celtic will not allow off-field problems to distract them when they meet Mamelodi Sundowns in tonight’s Absa Premiership match-up at Dr Molemela Stadium‚ the Brazilians’ right-back Thapelo Morena has said.
Morena does not believe his former team will allow themselves to be affected by the ongoing saga of debt-ridden Celtic owner Max Tshabalala’s attempted sale of the club.
Tshabalala‚ believed to be in debt of R60m to R70m‚ is looking for new buyers after a deal fell through last month‚ amid player strikes and signing-on fees not being paid.
“It’s going to be a difficult game for us. Because somewhere‚ somehow we really need the three points‚” Morena‚ the quick fullback who joined Sundowns from Celtic in August 2016‚ said.
“Celtic have been having challenges – the ones we’ve been reading about in the newspaper. But I don’t think they will take that to the game.
“They’re just going to come motivated that they’re playing Sundowns and to give their best. So it’s going to be a very difficult team for us to play.
“We can also take points off a team near the top in this game. And it will be difficult because they also want to stay on top. They are a team who want to play.
“Their centre-backs and their wing-backs like to go up. We know how good someone like Lantshene Phalane is …
“We know their weaknesses and where we need to go to create opportunities.”
Chloorkop has become a competitive environment this season as Downs coach Pitso Mosimane has gone on a buying spree to replace Khama Billiat and Percy Tau with quality incomers such as Toni Sylva‚ Phakamani Mahlambi and Lebohang Maboe.
“Even in training … we compete amongst ourselves‚” Morena said. “And I think that will help us sort out our problems of converting chances.”
Tonight’s fixtures (all 7.30pm): Celtic v Sundowns, Dr Molemela Stadium; Leopards v Baroka, Thohoyandou; Pirates v Arrows, Orlando; Chippa v FS Stars, Nelson Mandela Bay.