Mamelodi Sundowns will have it all to play for when they take on Cape Town City in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
The Brazilians were knocked out of the Caf Champions League earlier this week following their goalless draw against Horoya in their final Group C encounter, which saw them finish third in the group with six points.
READ: Solinas: Khune will be back for Bafana
Sundowns now face the danger of being eliminated from the top-eight competition as they head into the return leg with a one-goal deficit as a second-half goal by Taariq Fielies proved to be the difference in the first leg in Cape Town last Saturday.
Pitso Mosimane’s side have now gone four matches without finding the back of the net, with their last goal coming against Golden Arrows in their opening MTN8 clash on 11 August.
‘I think we are due to a goal, it’s uncommon for us to go this long without scoring. So in order for us to win, we must score. It’s as simple as that.
‘I don’t want to put any pressure on Jeremy [Brockie] because we saw what happens when people put pressure on players to score [referring to Thamsanqa Gabuza’s walkout against Black Leopards]. It’s also not only up to Jeremy to score the goals. Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Gaston Sirino and everyone else must also contribute to the goal-scoring.’
READ: Castro: The coach needs to help us
Meanwhile, the Citizens will go into the return leg high in confidence as they have a one-goal lead over the Tshwane giants.
The Mother City-based outfit will be hoping to return to winning ways after sharing the spoils 2-2 with Free State Stars during their midweek Absa Premiership action.
Benni McCarthy’s side have now claimed three wins from their first five games in all competitions so far this campaign, having claimed victories over SuperSport United, Maritzburg United and Sundowns, and suffering their only defeat against Baroka.
‘I’m happy with the point that we got, something to build on. Now I can look forward to playing the second leg of the semi-final against a team that plays beautiful football,’ McCarthy said.
‘A team that has set standards in our league and a team that you will not lose your players to injuries because of the type of football they play.
‘I’m looking forward to Sunday, playing Pitso. That’s why he is the best coach in our league – because he sets up his team to play.’
ALSO READ: Solinas: MTN8 semi like a World Cup final for Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns against Cape Town City will kick off at 3pm.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix