As the team leading the Betway Premiership currently, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has urged his side to do all they can to lift the league title, beginning with a clash against Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm (CAT, GMT+2).
CURRENT FORM
Sundowns will enter their next league assignment sitting in first position, five points ahead of nearest challengers Orlando Pirates, who have a game in hand.
The Brazilians last recorded a 3-0 win over Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership, a result that took their tally to 64 points with three games left to play. Cardoso and his men have stitched two consecutive wins together, recording three wins and two draws in their previous handful of Betway Premiership games.
Chiefs on the other hand, hope to secure third place, as they sit five points clear in the CAF Confederation Cup position with 47 points from 26 league fixtures.
The Glamour Boys suffered a 2-0 loss against Siwelele during Matchday 24, rounding off a run that includes two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five.
WHAT WAS SAID
Reflecting on Sundowns' title charge, Cardoso expressed that the reigning eight-time league winners must depend on themselves to lift the crown at the end of the season and not rely on results elsewhere.
“I think we need to get all the points we have left. It’s a story that still needs to be written and we must do it if we want to succeed,” Cardoso said.
“Then, we won’t depend on others and we should not. We should just focus on ourselves. We are in a moment where all matches become high level. This is a big challenge ahead.”
“There’s almost a week and a half left and everything will be finished. We need to be very strong in the way we approach every match like we have been doing consistently so.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mamelodi Sundowns: Iqraam Rayners – As a player back among the goals for Sundowns, Rayners will once again look to make an impact in another big fixture. With 12 league goals in 23 games so far, Rayners has the added incentive to become the top scorer in the division as he sits one goal behind Golden Arrows star Junior Dion.
Kaizer Chiefs: Pule Mmodi – Much like Rayners, Mmodi has been clutch for Chiefs lately, particularly after he scored in the 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby last month. At the same time, the 33-year-old boasts bags of experience as he leads the attacking line for his side.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 81
Mamelodi Sundowns wins: 30
Kaizer Chiefs wins: 29
Draws: 22