Supporters salivating in anticipation of lollapalooza
● To borrow from the chewing gum molesting Scottish geezer Alex Ferguson, going into this afternoon’s top-of-the-table clash, the goal for the mellow yellow juggernaut from Mamelodi is to knock the gold and black of Naturena off their f ****** perch.
Chiefs, for their part, will aim to trot onto the pitch, put Mamelodi Sundowns to the sword and chop them into a thousand tiny unrecognisable pieces to maintain their spot at the summit.
With new-found confidence, Chiefs have been riding the crest of the wave.
Even their most ardent admirer will attest to the fact that Amakhosi are some distance from being mentioned in the same sentence as sleek and suave.
Pretty play on their part has been paltry. Vintage is not yet in their vocabulary.
Indeed, it is enjoyable when a team’s play is pleasing to the eye.
But in all honesty, that is just a point of banality. No extra points are awarded for artistry and aesthetics.
In any case, the Chiefs faithful couldn’t give a rat’s behind. They are on cloud nine. Who can begrudge them?
They believe something is bubbling under the surface. They hope to see their resurgence ultimately result in an explosion that will see their team terminate all and sundry to end a barren spell that has rolled into a fifth season.
Their cheer has been derided by jeers of discontent from their competitors who jibe that their journey to the top has been aided and abetted by dubious officiating.
Fanning the fires of that chorus is the choir from Chloorkop, with Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane conducting it.
The Sundowns mentor has made it his singular honour to play creepy crawly and make accusations against his opponents.
In the period of preparation ahead of today, he upped the ante, grabbing a megaphone to get under the skin of his opposite number Ernst Middendorp.
Only adherents of phantasm and residents of cloud cuckoo land will deny that referees and their assistants have shown a rotten hand.
Middendorp has appeared rattled by accusations of his team being beneficiaries of points at the behest of referees.
That’s exactly where Mosimane wants him.
Indeed this clash is the first of a series of three matches that will provide a stern test of their credentials in their bid to bring some glitter to their trophy cabinet.
They meet Orlando Pirates in a sold-out affair in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Hot on the heels of that game comes a repeat encounter against Pirates, this time in the league.
In the event of Chiefs emerging victorious in these three encounters, it will be a huge statement of intent.
Winning three big games on the trot is an exercise Sundowns have engaged in and passed with flying colours.
Traditional slow starters, Sundowns,
What lies in wait for us today? On-point German precision? Shoeshine and piano on steroids?
owing to the Confederation of African Football Champions League escapades, have been playing catch-up.
They did justice with the three matches in hand. The win achieved at the death against Highlands Park was preceded by victories over Black Leopards and Maritzburg United.
Those nine points propelled Sundowns to within two points of Chiefs.
Victory will see them knock Chiefs off their f ****** perch. There will still be many twists and turns to the marathon season before the champion is crowned.
With the pain of the proper plonking Chiefs gave Downs in the petrol cup jamboree a fortnight ago still vivid in the mind, the stage is set for a humdinger in prospect.
Supporters are salivating in anticipation of lollapalooza at Loftus.
The players are revved up to pile misery on their respective opponents. The coaches are ready to sink their teeth into it. What lies in wait for us? On-point German precision? Shoeshine and piano on steroids?
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