Like eager, pervasive predators, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will be closing in on Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders and defending champions Kaizer Chiefs in intriguing league matches on Wednesday night.
The success-hungry Sundowns are in a position to leap into a commanding lead in the championship race with a victory over Bush Bucks in East London that would give them a one-point advantage over the Amakhosi — with one additional game to play as well.
Pirates, two points behind Sundowns at this moment and four points behind Chiefs, but from two fewer games than the log leaders, would forge strongly into contention for the PSL title with a victory against Golden Arrows at Ellis Park — particularly if Sundowns slip in the process.
Of further significance as the fascinating race approaches the final straight is the fact that Sundowns have clearly the best goal difference among the three frontline contenders and would in all likelihood become champions if the final outcome is dependant on this procedure.
But, for all this, Sundowns and Pirates must be acutely aware that victory against motivated opposition on what could be a fateful Wednesday night is anything but a formality, with Bush Bucks battling to avoid relegation and Arrows aiming at securing a valuable top-eight position in the log that would earn them a place in next season’s Supa8 tournament.
Sundowns, in addition, after once having the Midas touch insofar as accumulating honours is concerned, have in recent years acquired the unenviable reputation of snatching defeat from the jaws of impending glory.
And so, for the expensively assembled, multi-talented Brazilians, the game in East London will be a test of character as much as anything else.
Pirates, for their part, face an attractive Arrows side brimming with budding talent and will need to improve their suspect finishing to remain closely in touch with the log leaders.
In contrast, Wednesday’s third game between Classic and Jomo Cosmos at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg might tend to linger in the shadows — but fans of the two clubs will be more than aware that Classic are desperate for points if they are to avoid relegation and a victory would be equally priceless for Cosmos in order to qualify for next season’s Supa8 tournament. — Sapa