Downs have a score to settle
Mamelodi Sundowns and Wits meet in an Absa Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow (6pm) for the first time since the Clever Boys thrashed the Brazilians 3-0 in October’s MTN8 final. Mazola Molefe looks at how far defending Absa Premiership champs S
LAST SEASON
Sundowns beat Wits 4-2 at home in the first round of the campaign and finished the job with a 1-0 victory, having already been confirmed as league winners, away in the corresponding fixture.
SUNDOWNS TEAM NEWS
The Brazilians didn’t walk around with their tails between their legs following that humbling defeat in the MTN8 final but rather picked themselves up to beat Egypt’s Zamalek 3-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final and going on to be crowned champions a week later in Alexandria.
Coach Pitso Mosimane has often referred to the loss to Wits in the domestic cup as a wakeup call for his players who, he believed, were dropping their standards due to a phenomenal continental run.
They haven’t really looked back since and last weekend were on the winners’ podium yet again, being handed the Caf Super Cup after beating the DRC’s TP Mazembe. Recent form (most recent last): WWWDW
KEY PLAYERS
Percy Tau is the new talisman in town and Khama Billiat is still managing to pull the strings as a second striker or winger.
The embarrassment of riches at Sundowns is almost incomparable, with Wits seemingly the only team who can perhaps come close to matching their squad.
WITS TEAM NEWS
They, too, have made great strides after coach Gavin Hunt led them to their first trophy since his arrival at the club in 2013.
He has described the current state of the Premiership table as “false”, but in truth, the Clever Boys remain in the driving seat because they have won their games, while Sundowns – with five matches in hand overall and three points behind Wits – are playing catch-up.
On a win per match ratio, the Brazilians enjoy a healthy lead, but they take on a side fresh from a 5-0 thrashing of lowly Baroka FC.
Mosimane was there to witness a result he knew was likely, but probably didn’t think Hunt’s men would win by such a heavy margin.
There are potentially five teams that could win the title this season, but Wits and Sundowns are no doubt the hot favourites. So it would increase their chances of glory if, on their visit to Loftus, the Clever Boys can stretch their lead over the Brazilians to eight points. Recent form: DDWWW
KEY PLAYERS
With their slump over, match winners are coming out of the woodwork. If it’s not leading scorer Gabadinho Mhango bagging a double, it’s youngster Phakamani Mahlambi or veterans Daine Klate and James Keene hitting the net.