Sundowns coach focuses on chemistry as Diski Challenge resumes

Mamelodi Sundowns travel to face Orlando Pirates on Sunday as they continue the search for their second DStv Diski Challenge title at Tsakane Stadium.

The Kick-Off is at 3 pm.

Sundowns last won the Diski Challenge title in 2017 are heading to the match sitting at the top of the table with 27 points after 12 games. The Young Brazilians are aware that a defeat on Sunday will see them lose the top spot.

And coach Sithemba Badela said that is not on a list of their worries at this moment. Badela stated that his main focus is on getting chemistry right.

Sundowns have been at the top for seven weeks. They are one point ahead of second-placed Pirates from same number of games.

The two sides face off in a blockbuster as the Diski resumes following Christmas recess.

“At this point in time we are not looking at the log table. Our main goal is to try and bounce back from the last game we played,” said Badela.

“We are not concerned about the log table, there’s still a long way to go. No league has been won in January, we still have 18 matches to play. We are focusing on getting improved performance in those games and better results. We will take it one game at a time.”

In their last match of 2023, Sundowns suffered their first defeat when they were thumped 4-0 by Chippa United.

Badela explained: “We had enough time to anaylse our past results and see what went wrong. Heading to the Pirates match, we are going to fix that, compete and try to bounce back to winning ways.”

“Fans know what to expect when these two teams meet and it will be no different on Sunday. Two offensive sides, it will be a good game we not going there to sit back there would be goals and fans will enjoy.”

Sundowns are heading to this match with an upper hand. In their last six meeting against Pirates, The Tshwane giants have managed to get four victories and only lost the other two games.