Loftus showdown It’s first vs second in Pretoria
It’s first versus second as Premier Soccer League log leaders Kaizer Chiefs take on second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. So much has been said, mind games have been played. Who will it be?
● In Mamelodi Sundowns new striker Mauricio Affonso, Kaizer Chiefs’ defence will be up against an unpredictable force they’ve never encountered in a competitive match.
The Uruguayan has already underscored his significance by scoring three goals for Sundowns in matches he didn’t start.
He came off the bench to score on debut with his first touch in the 11-0 mauling of Seychelles outfit Côte d’Or in the Confederation of African Football Champions League.
Last Sunday Affonso headed his second Sundowns goal when the Brazilians demolished AmaZulu 5-0 to boot them out of the Telkom Knockout.
Affonso again came off the bench to score his third Sundowns goal, his solitary strike securing three points in the referee’s optional time. That victory propelled Sundowns to second spot, placing them two points behind table-topping Chiefs going into this afternoon’s encounter.
To maximise the effect of his attack, Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane may well be tempted to unleash Affonso from the word go. That he’s said he’s got nothing to lose today is big enough a reason Mosimane might as well throw his big real No 9 into the deep end.
Other than Affonso, Mosimane has plenty of creative forces in Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino and the ever-overlapping Thapelo Morena. Whether Mosimane chooses to attack with Lebo Maboe, Ali Meza or Affonso, Eric Mathoho and company are certain to be busy all afternoon.
Mosimane has set the cat among the pigeons in the build-up. On Wednesday he finally confirmed he was just hyping the game, meaning you’ll take him seriously at your own peril.
From opposition coaches, players and referees, nobody escaped Mosimane’s forked tongue. He doesn’t care how his views are received. The more he’s resented, the more he’s delighted he’s made his mark.
The purpose of Mosimane firing all the salvos is to instil fear in his enemies — the same way his array of superstars do where it matters most — on the field of play.
To dismiss Mosimane’s psychological warfare and say it doesn’t help him win big battles will be foolish.
By the time Chiefs get onto the field, they would have taken notice of every word Mosimane has uttered.
“It’s sardines, our focus is on the big fish. Some of the people got sardines last season and they did not last,” fired Mosimane on Thursday, speaking of the PSL’s Q-Innovation that rewards a top-performing team in each quarter of the league race. Chiefs stand a chance to win the first Q-Innovation in this campaign if they avoid defeat against Sundowns today.
A single goal or two if Chiefs were really mesmerised by Mosimane’s talk, should win it for Downs.