Downs, Bucs must up the pace
ORLANDO PIRATES and Mamelodi Sundowns’ best quality is also their weakness.
If they don’t work on it, they will be punished in the Caf Champions League where there is little room for error, unlike in the PSL where they ruled the roost last season.
The Buccaneers and the Brazilians tend to start slow, allowing their opponents to get a head start before responding strongly.
Pirates had a stuttering start to their league campaign last season but once they clicked, they were a well-oiled machine that challenged Sundowns for the PSL title a season after they were almost relegated.
The Brazilians also have a similar problem, which is why they tend to struggle in the MTN8 because as coach Pitso Mosimane puts it, “they’re still finding their feet at that time because the MTN8 is a ‘pre-season’ tournament”.
These two South African giants, who are flying SA’s flag in Africa’s premier club competition, had a slow start to their Champions League campaigns over the weekend. Pirates had a better start than Sundowns. The Buccaneers returned from Zimbabwe with a point after playing to a goalless draw with FC Platinum on Saturday.
It was a precious point since all four teams in Group B are on a point after the first round of matches. Esperance and Horoya played to a 1-1 draw on Friday.
The Buccaneers now have to collect maximum points against last season’s quarter-finalists Horoya.
The Guinean team will be making their third trip to SA in three years. Last year they were in the same group with Sundowns and two years ago they were grouped with SuperSport United in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Their pedigree on the continent has improved, but they aren’t a force just yet. Pirates’ attack should see them collect maximum points, especially if they take the game to Horoya from the first whistle.
The Brazilians also have to collect maximum points this Saturday against 2017 Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca.
This tough contest will bring the best out of Sundowns who struggle against minnows on the continent, but hold their own against Africa’s big boys. Sundowns have to shift that mental approach if they are to return to the heights they reached when they conquered the continent in 2016.
But that won’t happen if they are lethargic against minnows. Sundowns have struggled to handle the attention they receive as former Champions League winners.