By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns – only three points away from breaking their record – visit Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium for Saturday’s crucial Premier Soccer League tie.
Currently on 69 points, the Brazilians need victory to smash the 71-point record they set at the end of the 2015-16 season.
But second-placed Stellenbosch are also keen on collecting maximum points to keep their hopes alive of a top-two finish and a CAF Champions League berth.
Stellenbosch coach Clive Barker said on the club’s website that it would be a massive challenge for them to finish second on the log table.
“But it is a challenge that we are relishing as we want to test ourselves against the best,” he said.
“And we know we will most likely need maximum points from our next two games to achieve that.”
The Cape Winelands side has one point more than third-placed Orlando Pirates, who are also pressing to return to the continental Africa competition.
“So we have to put in our best performance of the season against Sundowns, which I believe will give us an opportunity to get the result we need,” said Barker.
Masandawana could do the Buccaneers a favour tomorrow afternoon if they beat Stellenbosch. After going unbeaten for 25 games, Stellenbosch is on a three-match winless streak.
Now they face Sundowns, who have not lost in 51 successive PSL games and are out to break the points tally record.
Having already won the league title, the Brazilians will still need to win two more matches to reach their target if they fail to beat Stellenbosch.
Less than two weeks ago, Sundowns edged Stellenbosch 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup match semi-finals, and the Maroons will want to avoid another defeat.
Pictured above: Stellenbosch vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Image source: Stellenbosch
