Mamelodi Sundowns will play one of their biggest matches against Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday, having negotiated a minefield of troubling fixturemaze.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has, somewhat, moved its fixtures around to accommodate the Brazilians’ hectic schedule towards the business end of the proceedings, but it has not alleviated the defending champions punishing programme.
On Friday, Sundowns were knocked out of the Caf Champions League by Tunisian giants Esperance at the Loftus Stadium where they lost 1-0 to the visitors.
A few days before the Esperance game, they were involved in a taxing encounter against Sekhukhune United in the DStv Premiership, where they toiled to a 2-1 victory and were able to cement their place at the top of the mountain.
Thapelo Morena and Tashreeq Matthews netted for Sundowns in the early stages of the match. Babina Noko faced an uphill battle to secure the elusive equaliser after Chibuike Ohizu narrowed the gap for them.
The DStv defending champions were also scheduled to face Chiefs on Tuesday at FNB Stadium; however, the match will now be played on Thursday, May 2. The Brazilians’ already postponed match against TS Galaxy has been accommodated on another date.
The game was postponed after Galaxy team players were involved in a road crash involving their bus and a car, where a motorist died. The Galaxy players were traumatised by that ordeal.
Sundowns have also had to negotiate a heavy schedule because of their participation in the newly launched African Football League and the Caf Champions League.
Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena said the schedule was taking its toll on the team.
“I don’t think the amount of investment and sacrifice we make is appreciated. It affects me because I am human, and I am not afraid to say it because sometimes speaking about your weaknesses is a good thing. You are able to know how to galvanise yourself and find strength,” said Mokoena after the Sekhukhune win.
“I have the support of the club and the players, which is very important. My players are the ones who are constantly asking me to sleep a little,” he added.
Yesterday, Chiefs played their 25th match of the season against fellow strugglers SuperSport United in Polokwane. Amakhosi will then gear themselves up for Thursday’s clash against the wounded league champions, in what is one of the biggest matches in the PSL.
Chiefs have had a lacklustre season that saw coach Molefi Ntseki being booted out in the early stages of the season.
Interim coach Cavin Johnson has not set the scene alight either, with the club languishing in position 10 on the log table.
Sundowns’ upcoming fixtures:
Monday April 29:
Sundowns v TS Galaxy
Thursday May 2:
Kaizer Chiefs v Sundowns
Tuesday May 7:
Royal AM v Sundowns
