Sundowns face tough battle in bid for treble
EIGHT MATCHES IN NEXT 3 DAYS AS PSL COMES BACK TO LIFE
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is right to be wary of Bloemfontein Celtic and to expect a tough battle in the final of the Nedbank Cup at the Orlando Stadium tomorrow. “They are a very difficult team that is enjoying themselves. They are free-spirited, they pass well. They have got nothing to lose and will give everything,” said Mosimane this week. Celtic rarely find themselves in cup finals but have a 3-1 record in previous appearances. Of course, Sundowns have a lot more experience and are going for a clean sweep of the league, Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout, which they won back in December. “The worst thing is to think you have won the treble without playing it. You have to earn it, and history against Celtic in the cup is not good for us,” Mosimane reminded his players. But there is now a real aura of invincibility about Sundowns that is tough for TAB soccer punters to ignore when they make their choices for the final. There are several niggling injuries for Sundowns to contend with, but for them that is hardly a dilemma. There’s always another good player to replace one who has to sit out. Celtic coach John Maduka will make history if he can steer his side to victory. He will be the first coach on the African continent outside of South Africa to lift the cup. Englishman Stuart Baxter won the trophy on a record three occasions, with Kaizer Chiefs in 2013 and then back-to-back triumphs with SuperSport United in 2016 and 2017. Mosimane could join him on that number if he is victorious tomorrow, having claimed victory with SuperSport in 2005 and Sundowns in 2015.