Igesund wills Downs to win, plans for final
APTLY dubbed the super weekend, there will be no neutrals or room for the fainthearted as the country’s top sides clash tomorrow and on Sunday.
It’s Tshwane versus Soweto as Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United take on their nemesis Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. In the clash between Chiefs and Sundowns at FNB Stadium tomorrow many will be backing the latter to stall Amakhosi who have stamped their authority as early pacesetters this season.
Table-toppers Chiefs remain the only unbeaten team in the league with 28 points courtesy of nine wins and one draw from 10 matches. And, understandably, all other title contenders will be pinning their hopes on a Sundowns win to slow Amakhosi down.
“It’s human nature,” said SuperSport United coach Gordon Igesund about holding thumps for Sundowns. “We also want to try catch up as much as we can. I won’t be the only one. Everybody else other than Chiefs supporters and Chiefs people, would want Chiefs to drop some points.”
Igesund lauded Chiefs’ form and their ability to do well under pressure.
“They have been fantastic. Week in and week out everybody is hoping that they lose a game. Everybody is hoping they draw a game. They have got this pressure on their shoulders but they have overcome it. You have got to give them credit.”
Just like Chiefs, Igesund has also done well for SuperSport. The shrewd mentor has led SuperSport to seven wins from eight matches in the league and the Telkom Knockout. One of their great victories was a 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates which ensured SuperSport book a place in the final.
SuperSport will meet Pirates again in a league encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.
Igesund revealed that he will rest a number of key players as he will be having one eye on the final against Platinum Stars at Orlando Stadium next Saturday. Players such as Thabo Moloi, Michael Morton, Thato Mokeke, Clayton Daniels won’t play against Pirates while in form hitman Dove Wome of Togo is set to start on the bench.
“There’s going to be quite a lot of changes to the team that played against Pirates. I want my players focused on this game. Mokeke has an operation and will be out for a week. Morton and Moloi have three yellow cards each. Wome arrives today (from international duty). I am going to make a lot of changes and I am quite happy to do that because it gives me a chance to have a look at some of the younger guys,” Igesund explained.
Igesund is likely to give a chance to players such as Roscoe Peterson and Ennocent Mkhabela against Bucs. Despite the looming changes, Igesund says his men are going to be as competitive as they were when they beat the Buccaneers.
“They will give out the same kind of performance. Week in and week out, I have had a headache that most coaches would like to have, that is who to live out from the team. The guys have put their hands up and they are competing for places. I’ve got to give them an opportunity,” said the multi-championship winning coach.
With the final likely to be lingering on the players’s minds, chances are some might hold back, providing Pirates with a chance to gain sweet revenge.