Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is looking forward to a difficult match when his side meets with Absa Premiership table leaders Kaizer Chiefs at Orlando Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The two teams, who are coming off quite contrasting results, are separated by three points as the league enters homestretch.
While Sundowns strolled to a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows to take their tally to 50 on Tuesday, Kaizer Chiefs had to dig deep to get a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch.
Prior to the match against Arrows, the Brazilians drew 2-2 with Maritzburg United, lost 3-2 to Cape Town City and drew 0-0 with Orlando Pirates.
Should Chiefs beat Sundowns; the Amakhosi will extend their lead to six points on the log with three games left for the two sides.
Kaizer Chiefs hold 16-12 advantage over the 37 matches played between these sides with 9 draws. In their recent match the Amakhosi won 2-0 thanks to a brace by Samir Nurkovic.
Sundowns Coach Pitso Mosimane is well aware that it is a big game and that most pundits are saying it’s a title decider.
Tight fixtures since the resumption of the Absa Premiership have started taking toll on Sundowns players, something that is worrying the experience gaffer ahead of the match.
“They have been playing after five or four days. We are more disadvantaged, they are a well-rested team when was the last time they played against Celtic I think. It has been difficult, we are not going to cry over this, we’re gonna fight for this, we’re gonna go for it and we’re gonna give our best and it doesn’t matter who is on the team sheet, we will go for the best as injuries do happen,” Mosimane told the club website.
“We are missing a very important defender in our team, injuries are there and we will see what we will do. It is not in our hands, they have the points, they have the goals but we can overturn it.”
On his side, Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernest Middendorp says he is well aware of the importance of the match and wants his side to give it all.
“Everybody understands what is expected of them this evening,” says coach Middendorp. “We go into the match fully aware of what is at stake. The stakes are high, and we are prepared for it.”
“The spirit in the camp is high,” adds Middendorp. “The energy is positive, and we are looking forward to this evening. We will miss the services of Samir Nurković and we are waiting for a decision on Leonardo Castro.
“Otherwise the rest of the squad is available for selection, including Mulomowandau Mathoho and Lebogang Manyama who missed the match against Stellenbosch FC. We do not want to reveal much at this stage. We have done our homework on Sundowns. Obviously, there are no certainties in terms of possible line-ups due to the fixtures congestion.”
