GUESS who will be back on the bench for Mamelodi Sundowns tomorrow?
If you guessed Pitso Mosimane, you’re correct – the coach will be back in charge of his Brazilians, when they host city rivals SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow (6pm).
Mosimane served a two-match suspension that saw assistant Manqoba Mngqithi taking charge when they drew 1-1 with Free State Stars midweek and knocked Cape Town All Stars out of the Nedbank Cup in the Last 32 round last weekend.
Tshwane will just about come to a standstill tomorrow as everyone turns their attention to Downs’ Jeremy Brockie, who will meet his ex-team for the first time since he moved to Chloorkop.
Mosimane, seeking maximum points to gain some distance on the chasing Kaizer Chiefs, will stand opposite desperate Eric Tinkler, and tempers could flare.
Usually this clash is not only about points but about bragging rights too – and it is bound to be more intense considering they meet on the back of draws for both teams.
SuperSport drew against Platinum Stars on Tuesday.
Mosimane is aware that there is only a five-point gap between them at the top of the standings, with Downs on 39 points and Chiefs on 34.
Chiefs will have their “daily bread” when they face Bloemfontein Celtic at FNB Stadium tomorrow (8.15pm).
Tinkler’s charges are in 10th place in the standings with 25 points from 21 matches. If they are not careful, the top eight train will leave them behind.
Now more hesitant to speak his mind, Mngqithi has admitted that they are in for a rough evening but said theywould head to Atteridgeville confident of victory.
Said Mngqithi: “This time they are desperate for points to move up the table. We did well against them in the first round and we’re confident of getting a positive result.”
They showed SuperSport flames in the first round in August last year, beating them 2-0 in a high tempo clash where United captain Dean Furman was shown a red card. Hlompho Kekana and Themba Zwane scored the goals.
But Tinkler is equally optimistic of victory this time against their Tshwane foes.
He said: “We beat Celtic 4-2, drew with Stars without conceding, which gave us confidence. The energy, desire and communication among the players are back, you can see that at training. We will play for a win against Sundowns, nothing else.”
Sundowns will be relying on the likes of Percy Tau, Khama Billiat and Brockie.
It remains to be seen if Sundowns captain Kekana and Themba Zwane will start the match this time.
Tinkler will be hoping the likes of Thuso Phala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Evans Rusike are able to upset Downs and win the team maximum points.
It is not yet clear whether goalie Ronwen Williams will be preferred ahead of Reyaad Pieterse. Williams has just returned from injury and the team struggled in his absence.
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