No rest for Pitso’s men
Williams hopes Downs are exhausted from CAF
SuperSport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams hopes his team can capitalise on Mamelodi Sundowns’ lack of preparation time for the Tshwane derby. Sundowns will have just one day to prepare for the derby tomorrow (7.30pm) at Loftus Versfeld after their return to the country yesterday morning from Egypt. Downs advanced to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League after a 5-1 aggregate win over Al Ahly. Sundowns managed to hold onto their advantage in Alexandria on Saturday after Al Ahly secured an inconsequential 1-0 win in the second leg.
“It’s going to be a big one. Hopefully, all the travelling will catch up with them and we can get the result,” Williams said.
“We have nothing to lose and our aim should just be to go out there and take the game to them. Downs are very good and their coach rotates the team well and are a well-oiled machine, so it won’t be easy.” SuperSport will look to snap their lengthy winless run against their neighbours that dates back six years. The last time SuperSport beat Sundowns was in March 2013. Since then Downs have just been dominant with nine wins and two draws. Coach Pitso Mosimane will effectively only have today to prepare his team for the clash. With Sundowns having travelled more than 10,000km from North Africa, this could be United’s chance to pounce on their worn-out rivals. Williams admits it does not sit well with the team that the derby has been so one-sided over the years.
“We haven’t beaten Sundowns in a long time and we are looking forward to the match and ending the drought,” Williams said. “For the past month or so we have been really good, so I think we can do it. I think we lost our momentum a bit because we have not been playing in the last month.” Elsewhere tomorrow, Highlands Park host struggling Free State Stars keen to cement their place in the top eight. The clash takes place at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa (7.30pm).