Will Bucs add salt to Downs wound?
Dramatic race to the league’s finish line has just begun
Remarkably, Mamelodi Sundowns’ unbeaten run in the Dstv Premiership has been halted by league strugglers. And the PSL champions will be forced to redeem themselves against Orlando Pirates when the across-town rivals meet for their league clash at Orlando Stadium this afternoon – kick off is at 3pm.
Sundowns have not won their last four league encounters. Their first defeat, a 2-1 loss, was inflicted by struggling Kaizer Chiefs last weekend.
Amakhosi were also brought down from the high spirits of their victory over Downs by Chippa United, who hammered them 1-0 midweek.
Even Masandawana co-coach Manqoba Mngqthi had “shock” written all over his face after the loss at the hands of Chiefs.
Soweto giants Pirates have suffered humiliating defeats at the hands of the Tshwane giants in the past, including their 6-0 loss in 2017 that was compounded by ugly scenes when that game was halted as fans ran riot, baying for coach Augusto Palacios’s blood.
The Chloorkop-based Downs had the upper hand again when the treble champions thrashed Bucs 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup a fortnight ago, a result that had Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer reeling with anger of the sloppiness of his players.
Sundowns’ first loss in the current campaign comes against the backdrop of being knocked out of the Nedbank Cup semifinals by what many would regard as minnows, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, and then dropping four points after league draws with Golden Arrows and Amazulu.
Amazulu are now challenging for league honours and are just one point behind leaders Downs.
Many had already surrendered, giving Sundowns another league trophy, but the race for the title has just begun, realising how Downs came from 11 points behind Chiefs last season to clinch the league championship.
Both sides’ sharp shooters, however, seem to have forgotten their scoring boots at home. Downs have scored once in their last four matches while Pirates have also netted one goal in the last three matches.
It remains to be seen whether Pirates have what it takes to add to Sundowns’ recent woes, at home this time, not at Lofus Versfeld.