Downs take aim at crown

Hlompho Kekana (below) insists that he and his Mamelodi Sundowns team-mates have learnt from last season’s mistakes, where they squandered an opportunity to win the league with a series of draws towards the end of the season, allowing Bidvest Wits to claim their maiden Absa Premiership title.

Right now, the Brazilians look like a side in firm control of the current title race as they command a four-point lead at the top.

“We are aware of what happened last season and we want the league more than anything. We want to make sure we rectify what happened last season and try to make sure we get the points we need,” said Kekana.

Masandawana want to create some more breathing space between themselves and the chasing pack, that features the likes of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The Sundowns skipper reckons the biggest threat to them are actually Free State Stars, who they face tonight at Loftus Versfeld.

“When I look at Free State Stars I see people who are giving us a headache in terms of the way they play. They are a team that plays without fear,” said Kekana of Luc Eymael’s fourth-placed Ea Lla Koto.

“It is simple, all we have to do is to win our games to win the league. With the number of games left, some people have done the mathematics but I am old-school, I am not good in mathematics, I just believe we need to win our games,” the 32-year-old added.

His coach, Pitso Mosimane – who is chasing a league and cup double as the side are still in contention for the Nedbank Cup – says if he were to choose, he would have it no other way than being exactly where Masandawana are right now.

“I would not want to be in a position other than this one,” said Mosimane.