PITSO FORCED TO SHUFFLE ATTACK
Lethal trio miss Bucs match
MAMELODI Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed yesterday that he will face Orlando Pirates for the second time in just over two weeks, in a crucial Absa Premiership match tonight, with makeshift strikers.
The match takes place at Loftus Versveld at 7.30.
Mosimane will miss playmaker Khama Billiat through suspension, while forwards Cuthbert Malajila and Katlego Mashego have been sidelined by injuries for the next couple of weeks.
It is a bewildering chain of events given the list of stars brought in during the pre-season and January transfer windows by chairman Patrice Motsepe ’ s millions.
No less than 16 signings have been made by Mosimane in his efforts to rebuild a team that finished outside the top eight in the previous campaign.
Sundowns, who are second on the log, beat the Buccaneers 1-0 thanks to a Hlompho Kekana stunner to bag the three point in Orlando on February 8. The Brazilians had their best available on the night, but face a challenge in the reverse fixture tonight as both teams continue to play catch-up.
“We will have to change things around, maybe try push Elias Pelembe and Anthony Laffor up as strikers,” Mosimane said. “They can play there and score if we plan well. We shouldn ’ t be crying about our strikers not being available because I think Pirates have also been robbed of a place higher up in the table. Because they have been without their key central defenders [Rooi Mahamutsa and Siyabonga Sangweni] they have struggled.
“For me there won ’ t be any surprises when you look at the previous game we played in Orlando. Only the venue and the mood will change. Our reference point is that game and the games Pirates have played against Ajax [a 2-1 win and a goalless draw].”
Sundowns trail log leaders Chiefs by nine points and could reduce the lead at the top of the PSL table to six with a victory against Pirates.
Mosimane again brought up a referee ’ s name when he blamed Khulusande Qongqo for attacking midfielder Billiat ’ s suspension. Qongqo was in charge in Sundowns ’ Nedbank Cup win against Ajax Cape Town last Friday and handed the Zimbabwean his fourth suc- cessive bookings.
“I will keep speaking my mind if match officials don ’ t get it right, I can ’ t keep quiet. If I am called into a disciplinary hearing by the league, then so be it ...”
He said the referee went to Khama and apologised after the game
Meanwhile, despite the arrival of Vladimir Vermezovic as coach of the Buccaneers, the Serb is yet to receive his work permit and Eric Tinkler will continue in his role as caretaker tonight.