No walk in the park for championship-chasing sides
JOBURG – Title-chasing teams will not have it easy over the weekend as the Absa Premiership draws to a close.
There will be no walk in the park this weekend for the championship-chasing sides, Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Both teams have daunting tasks this weekend in their quest to annex the Absa Premiership title for 2015/16. With only four games left before the end of the season, no outright winner has emerged except that the chase is now a two-horse race between the Clever Boys and the Brazilians.
Any slip-up between the two sides will be a blessing in disguise for the other, especially for the Brazilians who lead the pack by a mere four points.
The Brazilians’ next game is against struggling Kaizer Chiefs who occupy third spot on the log.
Chiefs may be struggling currently, but when the three giants – Chiefs, Downs and Orlando Pirates collide, the tag of a struggling side becomes simply what it is – a mere tag.
A match in point was the Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash between Downs and Pirates. Many had written off the Buccaneers in the face of the brilliance of the yellow machine, but the Bucs came out of that game smoking, though it took them extra time to finish off the Brazilians 2–0.
Anything is possible on 30 April at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium when Downs take on Chiefs, although the Brazilians will have a slight edge as the home team on the day. The first round of their league encounter at the FNB Stadium was a 0–0 stalemate, though the Brazilians followed it up with a 2–0 victory to lift the Telkom Knockout trophy.
Sundowns desperately need the win more than Chiefs, as Amakhosi have nothing to play for. Even if Chiefs win all its remaining four games, they cannot threaten the Brazilians who have amassed 59 points from 26 games.
Amakhosi are currently sitting in third spot with 44 points from 26 games.
So, the real threat to Downs is posed by rejuvenated Wits under the guidance of their astute mentor, Gavin Hunt. But they, too, are not out of the woods yet as they face a team that plays an exciting brand of relentless attacking football, Chippa United.
The interesting aspect of the Clever Boys and Chilli Boys (Chippa) clash is the similarity in their style of play. What Chippa United have been doing so far this season, the Clever Boys have done it six times more and, hence, they are in contention for league honours.
