SOCCER
Ngwako Modjadji
This week will be crucial for the top Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs as it will sort out the contenders from the pretenders.
The top four at the moment are the Cape-based Santos, Supersport United, Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates with fifth-placed Sundowns and Pirates having games in hands.
Sundowns’ hopes of lifting the crown for the fourth time were dented when they were walloped 4-1 by neighbours Supersport at the Caledonian stadium. In the first round Supersport beat the Brazilians 2-1 at Loftus stadium.
To make things worse Sundowns’ management fired a broadside at coach Ted Dumitru for losing the Pretoria derby again. Sundowns management accused Dumitru of spending too much time on Jomo Sono, Carlos Queiroz and the South African Football Association.
Sundowns played without Lovers Mohlala and Michael Manzini, who are suspended, and the pair could have prevented Supersport from plotting their moves in the wings. Sundowns now look out of contention for the title.
On Sunday Supersport will try to prove that their win over Sundowns was not a fluke when they meet Kaizer Chiefs at Mmabatho stadium. Chiefs might face expulsion from the African Cup Winners’ Cup after they failed to secure a flight to Madagascar to play against Transfoot last weekend.
If Santos’s recent performances are anything to go by then it looks like they will occupy the number one spot for a while. They take on Orlando Pirates next Wednesday in a game that might go a long way in deciding the destiny of the league title.
If Santos do triumph, coach Gordon Igesund will be ahappy man as he will have won the PSL title with three different clubs. He has already won with Manning Rangers and Pirates.