Defending is their goal: Wits, Downs rearguard hold key to victory

WHILE Pitso Mosimane’s preference for first choice goalkeeper is quite obvious, his counterpart Gavin Hunt has us all guessing ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 final in Nelspruit.

Will it be Darren Keet, Moeneeb Josephs or even young Kyle Peters.

But just how do these two clubs compare in this department, one that could be critical in winning or losing them the first piece of silverware on offer this season, given the firepower upfront?

Here we look at their defensive units as we build up to the R8-milion bonanza.

WITS OPTIONS

GOALKEEPERS: Darren Keet, Moneeb Josephs and Kyle Peters

In an interview prior to the start of the campaign, Hunt didn’t mince his words when asked whether the signing of Keet, after nearly five years of him playing in Belgium, meant Josephs’ position as No 1 was under threat.

“Of course it is, and I think the other boy we got (Peters) is even better, the best young goalkeeper I have seen in ages. He is better than both of them ability wise, but he hasn’t got the experience. I think in that department, it is the strongest since I have been here. We are much stronger for sure,” he explained. And nobody can argue different. Josephs has possibly hurt his chances of being between the sticks on Saturday after a rush of blood to the head led to him being sent off in the first-leg, semi-final against Cape Town City over a week ago. Keet, pictured left, took over as cover for the two matches Josephs missed due to suspension, and has been able to hold on to his first team place, with Hunt saying Josephs has himself to blame. Grade: 9/10 DEFENDERS: Thulani Hlatshwayo, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Nazeer Allie, Bongani Khumalo, Sifiso Hlanti, Peintjie Zulu, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Tebogo Moerane, Marcus Lecki

A few good men here, but a lot of inexperience, too, which gives Downs a bit of an edge should back-ups be needed. It’s also important to note that Hunt, despite being a believer in the rotation system, has not been able to give some of his defenders a run because the season is still very much in it’s infancy. So, his back four is almost predictable, but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that it will still be a solid unit.

Grade: 7/10

SUNDOWNS OPTIONS

GOALKEEPERS: Denis Onyango, Wayne Sandilands and Kennedy Mweene.

A predictable choice for Mosimane, especially if you consider the fact that the coach is itching to see the club finally get its hands on this trophy. The Brazilians have never won this competition under the current title sponsors, and it is the only cup Mosimane hasn’t clinched in his tenure so far. It would be a risk to field any other goalkeeper ahead of Onyango, who has featured in all three matches on the road to the final, conceding just once. Sandilands and Mweene are high quality back-ups – there is no doubt about that – but Onyango, pictured right, seems focused.

Yes, the goals he let in away to Zesco United in the Caf Champions League semi-final were uncharacteristic, but he still managed to keep them in the game with some brilliant saves much later in that 2-1 defeat.

Sandilands and Mweene have had some howlers when deputising for Ony an go, probably because they are a little bit rusty owing to limited game time.

Grade: 7/10 DEFENDERS: Ricardo Nascimento, Thabo Nthethe, Wayne Arendse, Soumahoro Bangaly, Motjeka Madisha, Tebogo Langerman, Mzikayise Mashaba, Anele Ngcongca, Siyanda Zwane, Asavela Mbekile Mosimane is spoilt for choice here, although some injuries have ruled out a few players. With the club also competing in the Champions League, the coach has been able to give everyone a fair crack at impressing him because some players aren’t registered for the continental competition. He now has to pick the best from the two different competitions and hope it’s enough to keep it tight at the back to give them a chance at clinching the ever-elusive MTN8 title. Grade: 8/10