Big-spending Mamelodi Sundowns are determined to bounce back during a tough seven-day period where they will play three challenging league and cup matches.
Downs, who were stunned in the MTN 8 Cup final — losing on penalties to Kaizer Chiefs after dominating that final played in Durban last month — and then crashed 4-2 at the Super Stadium to high-riding Golden Arrows in the Absa Premiership, are desperate to put their mini-slump behind them.
The Brazilians meet AmaZulu in a re-scheduled Absa Premiership clash at the Super Stadium on Wednesday night at 7.30pm, and then host Bay United at the same venue in their Telkom Knockout first-round clash on Saturday night (8pm). Next Wednesday (October 29) they play log leaders BidVest Wits in a league showdown scheduled for Rustenburg’s Olympia Park.
But Downs coach Trott Moloto is not worried about mounting pressure on him or his players.
Explained Sundowns spokesperson Mahlatse Mphahlele: ”We are a big club and pressure comes with the territory. It is no big deal; we are used to handling it, and so is our coaching staff.”
But Mphahlele stressed: ”It is crucial we get back to our winning ways. The next three games are crucial. We owe it to our supporters. The players and coaching staff are confident. The three matches are the ideal chance to bounce back.”
Moloto was at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Sunday where SuperSport United beat Usuthu 1-0 in a hard-fought Knockout last-16 clash. Downs league match against AmaZulu was due to be played last month, but was postponed when AmaZulu striker Siyabonga Mkhwanazi died suddenly on September 11 two days before the scheduled Premiership match.
AmaZulu struggled in attack against the more experienced SuperSport. And coach Clive Barker will have to play a makeshift attack against the Brazilians due to injuries. He is minus a number of key players, including new striker Myron Shongwe, who limped off in the second half against United with a hamstring injury.
Downs have two players out. Veteran striker Sibusiso Zuma — signed in the off-season from German side Arminia Bielefeld — has undergone a knee operation and will be out for a couple of weeks. Also missing is ”bad boy” Mbulelo ”OJ” Mabizela, who is also sidelined with an injury.
”Mabizela is working in the gym and is recovering,” said Mphahlele.
Mabizela still has a date with the club’s disciplinary committee after he went Awol three weeks ago and then failed to honour his call-up to Bafana Bafana for the friendly against Malawi at the Germiston Stadium.
Mabizela has a long history off poor discipline, and despite what punishment he gets from his club, he also faces sanction from the South African Football Association for his no-show against Malawi. — Sapa