Pitso wants to wrap up title
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS are looking to wrap up the Absa Premiership as soon as tomorrow.
They are at the top of the standings with 55 points after 28 matches and are six points clear of Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers are on 49 points after an identical number of games.
Sundowns will face Maritzburg United tomorrow at 7.30pm at Harry Gwala Stadium, while Pirates will welcome Bidvest Wits at Orlando Stadium in a match that is scheduled to kick off at the same time.
If they collect maximum points against United and Pirates lose or play out to a stalemate with Wits, Sundowns will be crowned the champions of the 2017/18 season with two games to spare.
A victory will take Sundowns to 58 points while the draw will take Pirates tally to 50 points which means even if they win their last two matches they will only get to 56 points.
The draw can also propel Sundowns to glory if Wits beat Pirates because Masandawana will be on 56 points and the Buccaneers will remain on 49 points and 6 points in their last two matches can lift them to 55 points.
If both sides earn victory in their respective clashes Sundowns will be one point away from winning the league.
The victory will take them to 58 points while Pirates will be on 52 points which means they can only finish on 58 points if they win their last two matches and Sundowns slip in their clashes.
Both sides can still finish on 58 points after 30 matches and the goal difference will determine the champion. Sundowns have a healthy goal difference of +23 while Pirates are on +13.
This means Sundowns have to lose heavily in their last two matches and Pirates win with higher margins in their last three matches. Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane,
indicated that they are looking to wrap up the league.
“It is important game for us on Wednesday. Very, very important game for us. We have to do whatever we have to do to win the game. But probably we might not win the game but get a point if you don’t win it.
“So don’t be emotional, we’ve got three (two games will remain after Maritzburg) games in which to earn six points. We have to get three from one of the rest,” Mosimane briefly stated.
On Saturday Sundowns will tackle Ajax Cape Town at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 3pm in another league encounter.
Sundowns will finish the league at Dr Molemela Stadium where they will lock horns with Bloemfontein Celtic on the May 12.
Pirates will face Wits behind closed doors, following a disciplinary hearing ruled their fans ran riot last year after a 6-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, and follow that up with a trip to the Mother City where they will meet Cape Town City.
In their last match they will face Free State Stars at home on May 12 at Orlando Stadium.
Sundowns will be looking to inflict revenge on United, after losing to them on Sunday in the Nedbank Cup semi final at Harry Gwala.
“We will go for it again. It is not easy but we will try and wrap it,” Mosimane said. “We will try, ask Manchester City. Do you want the FA Cup, Champions League or the league?
“You don’t buy these things in football. We wanted to go to the final but it did not happen and we must accept it.
“I think Maritzburg need the final. Congratulations to them. They play different and they are awkward,” Mosimane elaborated.
“That’s where it went, the red card. I don’t care about losing the game but I care about losing Anele (Ngcongca was stretched off because of an injury). I care about losing Sirino (Gaston who received a red card ).
“That’s the whole thing. I’m happy it didn’t go to extra time. The impact of the absence of Anele and Sirino will be huge. Anele couldn’t continue, Delion (Mekoa) kicked him off the pitch.
“Thapelo (Morena) was kicked after Anele and I say to myself who should I bring on now and then he goes and talks again (the referee Victor Hlungwani). Delion should have also got the red card.”