In a week of Premier Soccer League fixtures that is due to end in a crescendo with the pinnacle South African soccer derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns are intent on stealing much of the thunder.
Currently placed seven points behind log leaders Pirates, but with two games in hand, the Brazilians are trying to forge their way unobtrusively into a commanding position in the championship race.
And the operation gets under way at Loftus on Tuesday night when Sundowns entertain struggling Bush Bucks, with a further three points in the offing when the Brazilians play Free State Stars at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Saturday.
Six points from these two games would leave Sundowns invitingly positioned to regain an elusive title they ironically last annexed on three successive occasions four seasons ago — no matter what the outcome of the Chiefs-Pirates humdinger.
Sundowns’ Argentinian coach Angel Cappa is seemingly finally beginning to sort out his maze of recognised players and put on to the field what can be construed a best possible combination.
And although indications are that quicksilver striker Lerato Chabangu, the seasoned Peter Ndlovu and ”iron man” defender Mike Manzini will all be out of the line-up against Bush Bucks because of injuries, the Brazilians are likely to be largely unchanged from the side that beat Classic 3-0 in their previous fixture.
Expect evergreen former Bafana Bafana player Andre Arendse to remain in goal, with the highly talented Josta Dladla and Shakes Ngwenya to be afforded the belated opportunity of demonstrating they are worth a regular first-team berth.
Battling to steer clear of the relegation spectre, Bush Bucks have negotiated a deal with persuasive former Bafana coach Clive Barker, who is currently acting as a caretaker coach and is due to fill the slot of technical director when the coaching post is filled.
And the presence of Barker alone should be a stark warning for Sundowns not to fall into the trap of complacency, something they have done regularly to their cost in the past.
Barker’s enthusiasm is infectious and he is also credited with having ”the luck of the devil”, which could jointly contrive to lift Bush Bucks to a higher level. — Sapa