CARRYOVER R 5,071,716
Sat 7 April likely pool
Pitso Mosimane admits he is concerned about league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns hitting a sticky patch as they embark on a testing programme of matches over the next six weeks. Sundowns have a slender one-point lead in the Absa Premiership chase, are through to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup and begin the group phase of the African Champions League. “It’s tough, it’s tough,” mused the Sundowns coach as he pondered the prospect of tomorrow’s league clash at home to Chippa United at Loftus Versfeld. “We might have a game in hand, but a game in hand doesn’t mean anything. Chippa always give us problems, we always draw with that team.” Sundowns’ record against the Port Elizabeth-based club is six wins, six draws and a single defeat in 13 past clashes in all competitions, but they have not beaten Chippa in the last four head-to-head clashes between the two sides. Three have finished in draws plus there was a Telkom Knockout win for Chippa last October. “But sometimes history can change. We proved that at the weekend against Cape Town City. They beat us three times in a row but we changed the way we played against them and we’ve beaten them twice now,” added Mosimane. “We didn’t go toe-to-toe with them but we played it calm and smart,” he said of Sunday’s 2-1 win at the Cape Town Stadium in their Nedbank Cup quarter-final match. Sundowns are away against Baroka FC in Polokwane on Sunday before more league games, but this time at home to outgoing champions Bidvest Wits and Lamontville Golden Arrows. They then go away to Maritzburg United for two successive games – first in the cup semi-final on 21 April1 and back to the Harry Gwala Stadium for a league match on 25 April. Sundowns’ open their Champions League group campaign at home to holders Wydad Casablanca on 5 May. Mosimane said he was banking on experience to see his club through to the finish line. ”These games are not about frills, it’s about playing them properly. I think players like Sibusiso Vilakazi, Hlompho Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda showed they are Bafana players and can manage the situation.” Sundowns have won two of the last four league championships, in 2014 and 2016, and are looking for a first Nedbank Cup win since 2015. They were also Champions League winners in 2016. Sunday