? Wits tipped for glory

ROGER DE DA: ‘THEY ARE OUT OF AFRICA AND ALL THE OTHER COMPETITIONS’

Leg-weary Downs struggling in title race’s home stretch.

Roger de Sa believes Bidvest Wits have the edge in an enthralling Absa Premiership title race, with Mamelodi Sundowns’ running out of steam as they race towards the finish line.

The Clever Boys lead the Brazilians by two points heading into the final two games of the season, with Gavin Hunt’s side at home to Polokwane City this evening, while Sundowns host Maritzburg United.

Wits are aiming to bounce back after losing to Free State Stars in Bethlehem last week, though they were helped by the fact Sundowns were held by relegation-threatened Baroka FC on the same day.

The Johannesburg side will take home their first Premiership title if they beat City and Sundowns fail to beat United.

“I think to be entirely honest, Wits could have wrapped it up a while back,” said De Sa, a former coach at the Clever Boys and a goalkeeper in his playing days at Sundowns.

“They didn’t and are now making it very difficult for themselves. Sundowns have had to face playing in Africa and the congestion of playing catch-up with everyone. Now it is visible, you can see their players have lost a bit of momentum, there are too many players hitting fatigue.

“Wits are a lot fresher, they are out of Africa and all the other competitions, and are just focusing on the title, they have a fantastic squad with a lot of depth. It is there for Wits to lose.”

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has constantly mentioned the amount of games his side have had to play this season, with their amazing run to the 2016 Caf Champions League title and their participation in the 2016 Fifa Club World Cup. Moreover, while Wits have been knocked out of the 2017 Champions League, Sundowns are continuing the defence of their title in the group stages.

De Sa knows more than most about exhaustion from travelling in Africa, having led Orlando Pirates all the way to the 2013 Caf Champions League final.

“It is massive, until you are in it and experience it you don’t realise, Pitso knows it now … it takes a lot out of the players, people don’t understand the travelling, we went to Egypt six or seven times in three months, no one travels the distances African clubs travel.”

At the other end of the table, meanwhile, there are two huge six-pointers this evening in the relegation battle.

Bottom team Baroka FC host Highlands Park, a point ahead of them in 14th, while Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars contest the Free State derby. Second-from-bottom Chippa United welcome SuperSport United, with the two sides set to meet again in the Nedbank Cup semifinal on Saturday.

“To be honest with you I am enjoying watching the bottom more than the top. You have controversial decisions where Baroka got that penalty against Sundowns, then the goal disallowed against Arrows. It is a roller-coaster ... Highlands fired their coach and then got a result, it is like watching a soapie,” added De Sa.

Wits draw and Sundowns draw – Wits have a two-point lead heading into the final day.

Wits draw and Sundowns win – Sundowns lead on goal difference heading into the final day.

Wits lose and Sundowns win – Sundowns lead by a point going into the final day.

Wits lose and Sundowns lose – Wits remain two points clear of Sundowns heading into the final day. Cape Town City will also be two points adrift if they win at home to Golden Arrows. City’s inferior goal difference makes this combination of results the only way they can realistically stay in the title race.

To be entirely honest, Wits could have wrapped it up a while back.

Roger de Sa Former Wits coach