A make-or-break week in title race
This could be a pivotal week in the race for the Absa Premiership, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates both involved in midweek action, before Saturday’s showdown sees a meeting of Masandawana and table-topping Bidvest Wits, while the Buccaneers are at home to AmaZulu.
There are other teams still involved in the title race, of course, but if I was to put a bet on, it would definitely be on Sundowns, Wits or Pirates, and possibly in that order, to take home the ultimate local crown.
Sundowns are in pole position, despite not being top as we speak, though they might just be by the time one of you pick up a copy of Phakaaathi, given that Pitso Mosimane’s men will hit the summit with a win by two goals or more at home to Polokwane City this evening.
Sundowns have the strongest squad, the title pedigree, and the experience of handling a heavy workload, with Caf Champions League games currently also on the go. Pirates have a similar workload, and an excellent squad, but perhaps don’t have the experience when it comes to sealing the deal. Wits, meanwhile, may not have the budget of Downs or even Bucs, but they have a good squad too, and the advantage of only having the Premiership to worry about in the last few games of the season.
Gavin Hunt’s men have just one win in their last four league games and one feels that the game against Downs carries extra importance, in terms of confidence as much as points, if they are to once more grab the initiative.
It cannot have helped Wits’ cause that they had to travel back and forth from Thohoyandou twice over the last few days, hampering their training time ahead of the clash with Masandawana. When Wits won the title in the 2016/17 season, one of the turning points was when they beat Sundowns 1-0 at the Bidvest Stadium.
How the Clever Boys could do with a repeat. Sundowns have won six of their last nine league games, have Themba Zwane back and firing after injury, and the purchase of Emiliano Tade in January also looks astute.
Bucs have dropped points in three of their last four league games and need to turn more draws into wins if they are to capture the title.
Two victories this week, against SuperSport United tomorrow and AmaZulu on the weekend, would give their bid just the momentum it needs at this moment. Micho Sredojevic has had a good start to his second spell in charge of Pirates – the way they chased Sundowns at the top last season was exhilarating at times. But he now needs to start adding silverware to a curently rather barren trophy cabinet.
We hear from Polokwane City coach Josef Vukusic in this week’s Phakaaathi, Sundowns’ opponents tonight, while SuperSport United midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who played many a Soweto derby against the Bucs in his day, discusses SuperSport United’s meeting with Pirates tomorrow.
We also hear from Kaizer Chiefs legend Gert Schalkwyk, while ex-Amajita defender Roland Mohlaka discusses why he no longer plays professional football.
In our regular Women in Football section we speak to Banyana Banyana legend Amanda Dlamini, who is now making a major success of a career in television.
All that remains is for me to direct your attention to Page 7, where you could win a pair of adidas soccer boots, and where the opportunity remains for you to enter our Phakaaathi Private Fantasy League, which gives Fantasy Premier League players the chance to win great monthly prizes.