Fireworks expected at Tshwane derby today
The stature of the Tshwane derby is gradually building up to be one of the most admired derbies of the DStv Premiership.
It is often said that ‘when two bull elephants do battle, it’s the grass that suffers the most’.
This will be no different when the two Tshwane bulls by the names of Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United square up in today’s Tshwane derby and fireworks are expected at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
The hope is that SuperSport – under the mentorship of Gavin Hunt – will be the first side to inflict a loss to the high-riding ‘Yellow Machine’, as Sundowns are known to their avid fans, who have not played a league match in almost two months.
Masandawana has played and won all eight games so far, registering 24 points and occupying the second spot. They were toppled from the summit three days ago when Cape Town City took the first spot after beating Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 to leap past the six-time champions of the DStv with a singular point.
Sundowns have been involved in the just introduced African Football League and bagged the inaugural trophy after beating their nemesis and much fancied Wydad Casablanca of Morocco by two goals to nil in the second leg of the final at home. The first leg in Morocco ended 2-1 in favour of Wydad but Sundowns won the trophy with an aggregate goal of 3-2.
The Yellow Machine has also begun their Caf Champions League group stages with an opening victory of 3-0 at home against Mauritanian side Nouadhibou FC.
But coming back home, the fight is on for the three points at stake and the bragging rights. If they win this derby, they will leap Cape Town City to the summit with a slender two-point advantage but with four games in hand.
“We are happy to be back in the domestic league, but we expect a gruelling game against a stubborn SuperSport we will do our utmost to bag the three points and return to the summit,” said Downs coach Rhulani Mokwena at a pre-match press conference.
Lamenting the missed opportunity to go top of the league after they were beaten 2-1 by Sekhukhune United, Hunt said his side will keep on boxing in the hope of securing the desired results and going down as the first team to inflict defeat against Masandawana. That bragging rights will only be 90 minutes away when the match finally kicks off at 19:30.
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