Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking forward to completing their DStv Premiership campaign on a high beginning with success when they take on neighbourhood rivals SuperSport United on Wednesday at Loftus Versfeld in the Tshwane Derby.
Abafana Ba Style will be going into the encounter knowing that a win will see them crowned domestic champions three games before the season is concluded. However coach Manqoba Mngqithi does not want the sole focus to be on potentially sealing the title: “We’re not looking to put a lot of pressure on the players to look at this game as a title decider, we still want them to give the same energy even in the next three matches because for us it is very important to win every match that we play and to try and achieve our targets.”
The Brazilians have been on top of their game in the domestic league, and currently lead second place AmaZulu with seven points at the of the log and a game in hand.
According to Coach Manqoba, the team are determined to play all the remaining matches with enthusiasm and grit: “According to our process this is the second match of the last cycle of five games, we have won the first one [and now] all our attention is on trying to make sure that we achieve our desired targets in the last four matches. It just happens that SuperSport can decide the championship but the intention is to try and get the number of points that we have targeted, as it is now we are short of nine points in this cycle.”
The last meeting between the two sides ended as a 0-0 draw back in January at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium. Coach Manqoba says the team are aware of the prospects of their opponents and preparations are well underway: “They are showing very good signs, they are a decent team. [Bradley] Grobler is still the top goal scorer, [Sipho] Mbule has had a wonderful season, SuperSport scores a lot of goals from crosses and from outside the box.”
He concluded and said that “We know very well [that] we are not playing a team that is a push-over. Ronwen Williams has come back again and now they are looking like a team that really wants to launch a potential comeback, and that makes this game very important for both teams.”
Mamelodi Sundowns play against SuperSport United on Wednesday 26 May at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the game will kick off at 17:00 and will be broadcast on SuperSport PSL channel 202.
I like the spirit and attitude of Coach Mngqithi going to this match, and I just hope the players carry the same spirit going to the game. It is important that players should not be put under pressure , they must just enjoy the game and focus on the last cycle targeted points. Let’s win this league coach so that we have some bragging rights and good luck to the entire team today. Losing the CCL is not end of the road Masandawana, there is still next season and many seasons to come, good thing is that the three coaches have qualified the team for CCL for the next season, lets move on and support the team and players should know that we are fully behind them. KBY
I fully agree with .be humble with a winning spirit .We should try to win this match.The quicker we win the championship the better for us to focus on what need to be done to improve (releasing players and acquire players which suits our style of play
Let me applaud the Wisemen for the good job they did since the start of the league We are in position one except that 24 hrs toppled by uSuthu,if my memory serves me well I think its a second time we are cruising like this no panicking like before I know its painful to loose a spot on Champs league but let’s continue to enjoy the success of our team. Today I’m not even shivering like I normal do before the game because I do trust the boys and this trophy is ours.Kby forever
No one is going to stop us from winning the league every season & we are still going to break records. The focus now should be in assembling the strongest squad to rule Africa. KBY I remain
We might have lost to Al Ahly but Mamelodi Sundowns was a better team on both occasions . Tactically ,technically and otherwise Sundowns was very very good especially in the first round but unfortunately footballing gods were not on our side .The only downside of our game which the Arab clubs are mastering is total concentration and worship football something more than respect .
Otherwise to the three wiseman and the players I take my hat off – good job guys for the season . May today end well for you guys to help get your well deserved peace of mind you have out done yourself when everyone including us Sundowns fans were doubting your ability but you took Sundowns to new heights .