Downs face long slog as they play Champs League
Mamelodi Sundowns face a minimum of 24 more matches over the next six months and it could be as many as 34 games if they are successful in what could be an unprecedented schedule.
The Brazilians are in Nigeria for their opening game of the group phase of the African Champions League and coach Pitso Mosimane is contemplating the taxing schedule ahead.
He has thanked the PSL for rearranging their league fixtures to allow them to travel early to Nigeria.
“I must give the PSL credit‚ they have been communicating with us to try and help us to carry the flag of the country‚” Mosimane said.
Downs were initially scheduled to host Polokwane City on Tuesday night at Loftus.
They play Lobi Stars in Enugu on Friday, having travelled on Sunday via Addis Ababa.
“It is as if we are just starting a full season‚” Mosimane said.
Sundowns will be back in SA on Sunday and have had one of their previously postponed games squeezed onto the Premier Soccer League schedule next Wednesday.
They will host Maritzburg United at Loftus Versfeld in a hastily rearranged game originally scheduled for December as they attempt to catch up to the same number of games played as the rest of the teams in the league.
“We are playing a game every three days‚” Mosimane said.
“There is only a gap of four days when we don’t play football, and that will be when we are travelling in Africa. It is like a whole new league campaign.
“And there are also internationals for Bafana Bafana and we have a lot of players in Bafana.
“This is the time when we need everybody and a lot of back-up and ammunition.
“But it is not only us‚ it’s also going to be tough for Kaizer Chiefs and for Orlando Pirates [who are also competing in African club competition over the next months].”
But Chiefs and Pirates are on schedule with their league programme.
Pirates hosted Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday while Chiefs are at leaders Bidvest Wits on Wednesday.
Mosimane said it would be
The Brazilians are in Nigeria for their opening game of the group phase of the African Champions League and coach Pitso Mosimane is contemplating the taxing schedule ahead
vital to properly manage players‚ which he said was why he had not played Themba Zwane in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Chiefs at Soccer City. Zwane had a hamstring twinge.
Sundowns are guaranteed 17 league games‚ one in the Nedbank Cup and six in the group phase of the Champions League matches.
But if they go all the way in the Nedbank Cup final‚ that will be four more and if they make it to the Champions League final at the end of May‚ that is another six matches to their fixture list.