Sundowns top of the log ... for now
THE timing of Mamelodi Sundowns taking the lead of the Absa Premiership might not be ideal for coach Pitso Mosimane but they are ready to embrace the challenge and defend their title.
When the defending champions beat Golden Arrows 2-0 in Kwamashu on Friday night, it was also the first time this season that the Brazilians had taken the lead, a beaming Mosimane pointed out after the game. So much for not coveting the leadership of the league.
“It’s good to be on top of the log because we want to be there, but I would not have liked to be there now. It’s not the right time … maybe Monday (tomorrow) would have been nice,” said Mosimane.
“I don’t want us to take the pressure. I want to sit back a little bit, because when you lead everyone wants to shoot at you. But it’s okay. We’ve got the experience and should be able to do well,” said Mosimane of his African champions.
At about 7pm tomorrow would be a more appropriate time for his side to be on top. That would be after they tackle Wits, one of their closest rivals for the championship. The Clever Boys, chasing their first PSL crown, and Sundowns are placed first and third respectively after 24 matches, with surprise challengers Cape Town City sandwiched in between having played a game more. One point separates the trio from each other.
While Sundowns got the better of Arrows with second-half goals from Hlompho Kekana and Motjeka Madisha, Wits beat Highlands Park by the same score in another game on Friday night to stay in the race.
It will be an intensive day of hard labour on Worker’s Day, with the Citizens also in action, away to Maritzburg United. Of the three sides, Sundowns have the experience, as well as the squad depth and quality, reckoned losing Arrows coach Clinton Larsen.
Mosimane was in agreement, and avoided hyping up the battle against Wits – set to be a cat-and-mouse affair, with Sundowns unlikely to play an open game as they did against the Durban outfit.
In Kwamashu they might have dropped points had goalkeeper Denis Onyango not pulled off point blank saves to twice deny Kudakwashe Mahachi. The battle plan will differ against Wits.
“Wits is a big one, a big game. They have been struggling a bit, like us earlier. I’m happy I hit the dip earlier than now. The last time it was in their hands to win it. The ball is in my hands now. We need to be very smart against Wits. We do not have to be emotional or prove a point. We just have to make sure Wits don’t overtake us,” said Mosimane.
Arrows, meanwhile, will keep a keen eye on proceedings in Pietermaritzburg tomorrow because their closest rivals for a top eight place are Maritzburg, who are chasing a hat-trick of wins and a fourth straight home victory to cement their top eight position.
Against a City outfit unbeaten in 10 league games, it promises to be a cracker. Sundowns’ remaining matches v Wits (Johannesburg, May 1, 5pm) v Platinum Stars (Loftus Versfeld, May 4, 6pm) v Orlando Pirates (Orlando Stadium, May 7, 3pm) v Baroka FC (Loftus Versfeld, May 10, 7.30pm) v Maritzburg Utd (Loftus Versfeld, May 17, 7.30pm) v Highlands Park (Makhulong Stadium, May 27, 3pm) Cape Town City’s remaining matches v Maritzburg Utd (Harry Gwala Stadium, May 1, 3pm) v Free State Stars (Cape Town Stadium, May 5, 8pm) v Supersport United (Lucas Moripe Stadium, May 9, 7.30pm) v Golden Arrows (Cape Town Stadium, May 17, 7.30pm) v Polokwane City (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, May 27, 3pm) Wits remaining matches v Sundowns (Johannesburg, May 1,5pm) v Pirates (Johannesburg, May 4, 7.30pm) v Maritzburg Utd (Johannesburg, May 7, 3pm) v Free State Stars (Goble Park Stadium, May 10, 7.30pm) v Polokwane City (Johannesburg, May 17, 7.30pm) v Kaizer Chiefs (FNB Stadium, May 27, 3pm) Chiefs remaining matches v Golden Arrows (FNB Stadium, May 6, 8.15pm) v Polokwane City (New Peter Mokaba Stadium, May 13, 6pm) v Platinum Stars (Royal Bafokeng Stadium, May 17, 7.30pm) v Wits (FNB Stadium, May 27, 3pm) Supersport remaining matches v Bloem Celtic (Lucas Moripe Stadium, May 3, 7.30pm) v Polokwane City (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, May 6, 6pm) v Cape Town City (Lucas Moripe Stadium, May 9, 7.30pm) v Chippa Utd (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, May 17, 7.30pm) v Platinum Stars (Lucas Moripe Stadium, May 27, 3pm)