THEY have already been labelled the 2015-16 Absa Premiership champions-elect, but that belief could be cast into doubt tomorrow, depending on Mamelodi Sundowns’ result against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium (7.30pm).
It is one match that will be watched with keen interest by many, considering that Sundowns are six points clear at the summit of the PSL table.
Second-placed Bidvest Wits have an important clash against defending league champions Kaizer Chiefs at Milpark tonight and the result could make a big difference in the league race.
Downs have been the form team this season with a plus 22 goal-difference after going 13 matches unbeaten in the league. Their most recent result was a 5-2 come-from-behind win against Free State Stars in Orkney.
As for Pirates, they know anything is possible, considering their jump from 13th place to seventh with just one win.
Victory for Bucs will see them move to sixth place, pushing back Chippa United.
They will be aware that things will be difficult against the free-scoring Brazilians, but they too have quality players who can score at any given time, such as skipper Thabo Matlaba, Thabo Rakhale and Thamsanqa Gabuza.
But unfortunately for Bucs ,Matlaba is suspended for this clash, which will put pressure on his colleagues to be on target.
Bucs’ next two clashes are against another title-chasing team in Mpumalanga Black Aces away at Mbombela Stadium on 21 February and against Bloemfontein Celtic a week later.
Downs’ programme, however, will be interrupted by their opening Caf Champions League game against Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn this coming weekend before they face Golden Arrows on 20 February.
Coach Pitso Mosimane will throw goalkeeper Denis Onyango back into the mix against Bucs after giving him a break against Ea Lla Koto at the weekend.
Wayne Arendse, who was on target against Stars, said they were under no pressure to win matches “but it’s just in our DNA to win”. He added: “Pirates won’t be easy considering they have collected seven points in their last three matches. They are on the up.”
He admitted that the goal has lifted his confidence and said he would like to score more: “I’ve been meaning to score and finally it’s happened. Hopefully more will come.”
