Pitso still lives in hope
IF WE WANT TO WIN THE TITLE WE HAVE TO BEAT MARITZBURG Coach admits his team are in for a rough ride against United.
Pitso Mosimane says his Mamelodi Sundowns side will not be asking favours from other teams to help them retain their Absa Premiership title, as the title chase looks set to go down to the wire. The Brazilians are two points behind leaders Bidvest Wits, who have their sights set on a maiden top-flight title.
If Downs are to retain the title, they must win their remaining two games, first at home to top-eight contenders Maritzburg United tomorrow at Lucas Moripe Stadium, and on the final day against relegation-threatened Highlands Park. But they also hope the Clever Boys stumble.
“It is a must-win clash. If we don’t win those ones, we must forget it. When you don’t win, you hope other people don’t win, and here we go again to the last match. We must never worry what other people do, we must win,” said Mosimane.
“If we want to win the league we have to beat Maritzburg and that’s it,” he added.
Sundowns come into this game on the back of three successive home draws in all competitions, the latest a goalless stalemate with Saint George of Ethiopia in the Caf Champions League on Saturday. Mosimane however is adamant his side will make the most of their home advantage tomorrow evening.
“Maybe we will be sharper and quicker, with more sparkle and venom up front,” he said.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor is full of praise for Maritzburg caretaker-coach Fadlu Davids who has turned the club’s fortunes around since holding the fort after the departure of Roger de Sa.
“I think he has done very well. He won Coach-of-the-Month (April) and they played well against Wits (United were beaten 1-0 by Wits on May 7). Maritzburg are not a team you can just walk over, they will fight. But which team is easy?”