Sundowns face Pirates in a mouthwatering festive encounter

Sundowns, who are at the top of the DStv Premiership, will resume their league campaign by hosting Pirates at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on December 30 (3.30pm)

Normally at this time of the year, footballers would be on a break as the DStv Premiership goes into recess. However, this time around, the family gatherings will be paired with some local football.

The Buccaneers completely outclassed Masandawana in the semifinals of the MTN8 — which they went on to win — when they beat them 3-0 in the second-leg. Downs got their revenge, although it was a friendly match, when they drowned the Sea Robbers four times in the Carling Black Label Cup to beat them 4-0.

Nine points separating Downs and Pirates, Jose Riveiro will feel his team has a chance and could use December 30 as an opportunity to narrow the gap to six points. Pirates have managed to score just nine goals in the PSL this season and have conceded seven in the process.

The arrival of Kermit Erasmus from Mamelodi Sundowns looked to have given the striking department additional impetus.

Riveiro has been experimenting with Bienvenu Eva Nga, Zakhele Lepasa, and Kwame Peprah as he tries to figure out a dependable goal machine for the Soweto giants from the options at his disposal.

Recently, Pirates were linked with Coton Sport striker Marou Souaibou. Should the Sea Robbers end up signing him, he could be a viable prospect given his stats with the Cameroonian side.

He has 30 goals in 63 appearances for Coton Sport and was named Cameroon’s 2022 footballer of the season.

Meanwhile Downs Rulani Mokwena has praised what has been a great year for the club as they target more silverware in the coming months.

Among their achievements in 2022, Sundowns celebrated winning their record 12th DStv Premiership title and fifth in succession and lifting the Nedbank Cup.

This game will be live on SuperSport