ON THE CHARGE
SUNDOWNS THREATEN TO LEAVE TITLE RIVALS IN THEIR WAKE
The experience and structure that Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has put in place at the Tshwane giants make it look like a simple bet that his team will win the Absa Premiership, although they still have 19 matches to play.
Captain Hlompho Kekana was yesterday announced as the Absa Premiership Player-of-the-Month for November after inspiring his side with some brilliant displays and he said they have not even started thinking about the title.
“To be honest we have not started thinking of winning the league because we have only played 11 games. What I would say is that we are on the right track. We know it will not be easy in the second round because it is the final stretch,” he said.
He admitted that like any other team, they have gone through difficult times but are happy to be on a winning streak now. Sundowns have won four of their last five league games to move two points clear at the top of the table.
“Every team goes through different phases. Sometimes you play well and don’t win. This has happened to us in the past.
“But things are working well these days because we are winning matches. We have played in some difficult conditions and won and that is how championship teams are made. They have to go through the worst times,” said the 32-year-old midfielder.
On November 1, Kekana scored a goal that will be memorable for the Masandawana fans for a long time when he caught Orlando Pirates’ Wayne Sandilands off his line with a shot from his own half at Orlando Stadium.
Asked about the goal, Kekana said: “Football is a game of moments and you have to think in a second. I just saw Wayne’s socks, I didn’t see his full body. I knew that if I looked up he would know what I was trying to do.”
Kekana will next try and help Sundowns beat Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership clash tomorrow evening in Tshwane.
“Playing Maritzburg is always difficult for us. They have a lot of pace. We are always looking to beat them but we are aware of how much trouble they will bring,” said Kekana.
“We have to give them the respect they deserve. We have to make sure we close them down so they cannot play their normal game.”
We’re looking to win, but we are aware of how much trouble they will bring