Sundowns need to find a victory
Their PSL title challenge is faltering
IT WAS not meant to be this way. This is probably the sentiment the Mamelodi Sundowns faithful have in their heads after the Brazilians squandered their chances of closing in on Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs in recent weeks.
In the past two seasons, the Brazilians did the improbable, capitalising on their games in hand during the twilight of the season and won the league successively as they set distance between themselves and Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits, who both failed in their aspirations to hold on to the summit seat.
But it appears that the Brazilians won’t be “third time lucky” in their pursuit for the championship again, having endured three draws and a loss in their four league matches since the restart under the “bio-bubble” which enforces strict Covid-19 protocols.
Granted, in their first match back, the Brazilians reached the final of the Nedbank Cup after defeating Wits 3-2 in the semi-finals thanks to their fighting spirit after snatching that victory through a late goal from substitute Lyle Lakay.
Since then, however, the Brazilians’ fighting mentality has been questionable, especially after bagging only three points out of a possible 12.
After their 2-2 draw with Maritzburg United at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Friday, coach Pitso Mosimane appeared to be pleased with his team’s performance.
‘Jingles’ said “there’s more to the game than results” and applauded his players for digging deep and at least bagging a point against a Maritzburg side hoping to finish in the top five.
The Brazilians will be searching for that elusive win since the restart when they clash with Golden Arrows at Dobsonville Stadium today (6pm kick-off) in a match that will have a strong say when it comes to the decider in the championship race.
Abafana Bes’thende will not easily allow that as they are looking for their first win since the resumption after playing to a draw with Bidvest Wits and losses to Stellenbosch FC and relegationthreatened Black Leopards.
Arrows coach Steve Komphela will know that he’ll have to finish in the top eight next season having finished last campaign without a chance to compete for the MTN8 crown this season.
This season they are currently in 10th position.
But for Mosimane, he’ll know that finishing in the top two, where they’ll qualify for another spot in the CAF Champions League next season, remains part of the bumper four-year deal that he signed with the club earlier this year.
Mosimane has to ensure that his right-hand men Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena also give him the best advice on how to run a well-oiled machine.
They have, after all, also signed new four-year deals with the Brazilians.