Once more unto the breach, Downs
Pitso urges side to fight bravely
MAMELODI Sundowns rarely lose at home, but coach Pitso Mosimane has warned that AS Vita will be no pushovers in today’s Caf Champions League clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Sundowns must score two goals and keep a clean sheet at home to advance to the group stage after losing 1-0 in Kinshasa in the first leg of their second round clash.
Ghanaian winger Bernard Morrison was a thorn in the side of Sundowns in the first encounter. It was Morrison’s shot at the death that Denis Onyango failed to hold on to and the ball fell kindly for Kule Mbombo, who applied the finish to give AS Vita the advantage.
The former Bafana Bafana coach says Sundowns can turn it around in their own backyard, but admits that the opponents pose a real threat especially Morrison.
“They have an unbelievable attack. They come inside and they’ve got this Ghanaian [Bernard Morrison] and he gave us problems,” said Mosimane. “And they’ve got a number nine who is big and strong, the one who scored at the end [Mbombo]. He also gave us problems, but I believe that the attack we have is good enough to get two goals.”
Sundowns have won 15 of their 19 home matches in all competitions this season and drawn two and lost two to Bloemfontein Celtic, who beat them on penalties in the MTN8 and 3-1 in the league. They’ve scored 40 goals at home and Mosimane is oozing confidence ahead of the match.
“Look at the [Uefa] Champions League; Real Madrid were losing 2-0 [against Wolfsburg] from the first leg and they [scored] three in the second leg. We learn from that. With the way we press, we suffocate people until they give in,” he warned.
The home side will welcome back attacking midfielder Khama Billiat and defender Soumahoro Bangaly, who both missed the trip to Kinshasa through suspension.
Goalkeeper Onyango and defendercum-midfielder Mzikayise Mashaba are likely to miss the match because of hamstring and abdomen injuries respectively. “I don’t know if Denis will make it… I hope he comes back. Mashaba’s got a grade one abdominal [muscle strain] but the doctor says he should be okay soon,” said Mosimane.
● Jeremy Brockie is set for a return to the SuperSport United line-up for Friday’s Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash against Muhsin Ertugral’s Mpumalanga Black Aces side.
Brockie missed United’s 2-0 victory over Platinum Stars on Sunday due to personal reasons, but he’s back to terrorise the opposition like he has in the previous two rounds of the knockout competition.
The New Zealander curled in a beauty against Moroka Swallows in the last 32 and then inspired a comeback against University of Pretoria before Matsatsantsa won the last 16 clash via a penalty shootout.
“Jeremy is now available and he will be training with us (today). He was away due to personal reasons. We changed the way we played against Platinum Stars, so now I have all options open,” said Baxter.
Baxter is not the only one who is delighted to have Brockie back.
Teammate Clayton Daniels says they need Brockie’s presence upfront to break down an Aces defence which is usually organised.
“Brockie is an important player in our team. He has scored a lot of goals for us and we are happy to have him back. Aces are a well structured team, so it’s going to be a difficult game.”
While the Aces defence will be trying to tame Brockie, Daniels and company at the back have to try stop the league’s top scorer Collins Mbesuma, who was rested for Aces’ last match against Maritzburg United and is expected to make a return at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday.
“Collins has experience. He is big and he plays with his back to goal and you have guys like (Aubrey) Ngoma and others playing off him. It’s important that we stay organised. You cannot give him space.”
Daniels says the game against Aces is coming at the right time, when United have found form. — Tshepang mailwane