Resolute United target Downs
TSHWANE DERBY: UNITED WANT DOWNS SCALP
Reneilwe Letsholonyane is set to get a taste of his third Tshwane derby this evening, as SuperSport United face Mamelodi Sundowns in what could also prove a key clash in the Absa Premiership title race.
Having reunited with his former coach at Kaizer Chiefs, Stu- art Baxter, the 34-year-old Letsholonyane has been a stalwart for SuperSport this season, and has impressed in helping the side reach the Telkom Knockout final, the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals, as well as mounting a decent challenge in their league, where they have only lost two matches.
The second of those losses came only recently, however, and was a real surprise, as Matsatsantsa lost at home to struggling Baroka FC.
Letsholonyane does not believe the defeat will be too detrimental to their title chances. SuperSport are currently just six points off Bidvest Wits at the top of the table.
“It was our second loss of the season and that does not make us a bad team,” he said this week.
“We believe that we still have a chance, life goes on and we prepare for the Sundowns game.”
When asked about the intensity of the title chase, with at least five teams vying for top honors, Letsholonyane diplomatically said they are focused on themselves.
“For us is not really about chasing, it is about handling our own games as they come,” he said.
“Pressure to win the league? I don’t think it is there. We planned this road and we continue to plan where we want to be. If we didn’t plan on what we wanted at the beginning of the season, maybe it was going to be a shock to be where we are and we’d panic and start feeling pressure. We planned to challenge for every piece of silverware and the league was one of them.”
SuperSport and Sundowns have already met twice this season and have thus far shared the spoils – Sundowns won an MTN8 quarterfinal in August 3-1, but Letsholonyane’s side pipped
Masandawana on penalties in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals.
The two sides will now meet twice in the league in the space of six days, with tonight’s game at Loftus followed by a clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
“I don’t think that this and the second game will be defining in terms of where the league goes. But it is important to get points because you win the league by winning games,” added Letsholonyane.
Matsatsantsa still firmly in race for the league title despite defeat at the hands of lowly Baroka.