Still in a state of reverberating shock after the defeat against relegation-threatened Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday, Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have received some reassuring news for their revamped PSL game against Santos at Loftus on Thursday night.
In-form Josta Dladla and Vuyo Mere, who missed the Celtic game because of an injury and suspension respectively, will be available again for a fixture that was originally due to be played on Wednesday night, but was then moved forward 24 hours because of the municipal elections.
The PSL has also switched the intriguing clash between old rivals Jomo Cosmos and Orlando Pirates at Huntersfield Stadium from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon because of the elections, with both games having a significant bearing on the log leadership.
”Playing without Mere at right-back and Dladla on the right wing against Celtic was like a man suddenly going lame in one arm,” said joint Sundowns coach Miguel Gamondi.
”I don’t want to make excuses or take anything away from Celtic’s performance,” he added, ”but Dladla and Mere were the stars when we beat Kaizer Chiefs last week and we could not have suffered a more serious blow than losing both of them at the same time.”
Sundowns and Pirates are currently running neck-and-neck at the top of the PSL log with the same number of points, with the Brazilians barely in front by virtue of a superior goal difference. — Sapa