Downs out to finish the job

Michaelson Gumede

In spite of a midweek slip-up, the Absa Premiership title is still very much Mamelodi Sundowns’ to lose, and they will finish the job if they can beat relegation threatened Ajax Cape Town in Atteridgeville this afternoon.

Sundowns’ draw in midweek at Maritzburg United, combined with Orlando Pirates’ 4-0 win over Bidvest Wits meant the Tshwane side’s lead at the top was cut to four points, but with just two games left to play in the season it would take a minor miracle for the Buccaneers to overtake them. Pirates are at Cape Town City this afternoon.

“If we don’t get three points from the last two games then you don’t want to win the league. We have an advantage to win it at home. We must win the title, it is in our hands, we don’t need any favours. We have to win against Ajax, which is not easy, they are winning (matches) lately,” said Masandawana coach Pitso Mosimane (above).

One other issue at the back of Mosimane’s mind is the on-going Tendai Ndoro saga, where a verdict has not been reached after months of going back and forth. Ajax striker Ndoro’s “crime” was playing for three teams in one season, and he helped the Urban Warriors defeat Pirates. There remains a very slight possibility that the Buccaneers could be awarded the points in the courtroom for a match they lost 3-0.

“The case has been pending all the time. We want to win it on the pitch.

“If you win it on the table, then good luck … what are we going to do because it is out of our hands. We have to win and celebrate. What happens after is other people’s stuff,” said Mosimane.

The former Bafana Bafana coach does acknowledge that Sundowns could have finished the job in the title race some time ago.

Also see Pages 45 &46