Chasers set to collide
BOTH DOWNS AND WITS HAVE HAD VERY DEMANDING SCHEDULES
Not so long ago it appeared as though Kaizer Chiefs were running away with the Absa Premiership title race with a commanding lead for most part of the first half of the season.
That lead has been reduced to just four points by defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns after they won their last two games while Amakhosi stumbled against Maritzburg United and SuperSport United, dropping four points.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has been vocal about premature celebrations, particularly by Chiefs supporters, warning the Khosination that it is “still too early.”
“We cannot be too excited, May is too far. We still have to play Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport. It is tough because these games are big games, so we can’t be talking about the league now. At some stage it was 12 points and now it is four, this is football and no one must talk about the championship.
“The game of SuperSport and Chiefs – I thought it was going to be a draw but SuperSport always cause an upset. Last season they also disturbed us so we have got to respect those guys,” said Mosimane whose side will be playing Bidvest Wits tonight at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The Students and Masandawana have an extra work load as they are playing in the Caf Confederations Cup and the Champions League respectively and Mosimane says it is challenging for him and his counterpart, Gavin Hunt, to fare well on the domestic and international fronts.
“It is the second time we are playing them after two-and-a-half days and they are a strong team. If you ask Gavin he will also tell you that we are paying the price of playing the Caf competitions. Our three amigos were not available for us against AmaZulu because they are injured and it is a bit difficult to have a full team.
“Mauricio Affonso went out in training before the AmaZulu game with a hamstring and the day before it was Ali Meza. Gaston Sirino was kicked in Algeria against USM Algers. Mosa Lebusa has been out since we played against Polokwane City so we have to wait for them and hope we will have a full team soon.
“But the good thing is that Ricardo Nascimento is training again. We really need a full team to handle this program. Even Wits’ squad is not very big but it seems as if they are are coping,” added Mosimane.