Mosimane wary of Stellenbosch threat

Mamelodi Sundowns begin their bid to close the gap on Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs when they travel to Stellenbosch FC for their Absa Premiership clash on Wednesday.

Sundowns currently trail Chiefs by seven points, but have two games in hand, and if they win both will be breathing down the neck of the once runaway leaders.

“We are back to the story of three tournaments in seven days. We have just done the CAF Champions League, we are now here [in Cape Town] for the game against Stellenbosch FC, one of two that we have in hand, and then Saturday we have the Nedbank Cup,” coach Pitso Mosimane says.

“Stellenbosch are a difficult team, you can never underestimate them. Their position on the log says a lot, they are not facing relegation at this time.

“This team has beaten SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates, they are fighters. When we played them at Loftus [Stadium] they gave us a big scare. They scored first and even though we beat them 3-1, it was not a true reflection of the play, we were chasing the game.

“They have a good coach in Steve Barker, he is very rigid and tough, does not give much away. They would like to win against us, they will believe they can.

“It is important to get the points, yes, they [Stellenbosch] are fresh. We come from a big game, where we left everything … we fought hard against Al Ahly. Let’s hope the bodies are right and the guys are recovered so that we can fight.”

Mosimane says they do have a few illness and injury concerns that will require late fitness tests for the players.

“Andile Jali has got tonsillitis. Gaston Sirino has a strain on the thigh, but we think he will make it. Denis Onyango has the hamstring that always gives him a problem. We will check him in the morning.”