By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns are keen on sinking Orlando Pirates when the two giants clash in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
It is a high-stakes affair as the Brazilians seek to end the season with a treble after winning the African Football League and the PSL title.
Rhulani Mokwena and his men will also be out to make amends for last week’s failure to end the PSL campaign as invincibles after being beaten by Cape Town City at home.
But the Brazilian’s coach feels Saturday’s game is a different ball game altogether.
“We have been by far the best team this season. I’m not apologetic when I say that,” Mokwena told the media.
“The log never lies. So, when you look at where we are in the league and how we played this season, we went unbeaten for 29 games. It’s something that has never been done before.”
Mokwena said you can’t compare playing a cup final match to losing a single league match.
“The final is about what happens on the pitch and not what happened in the last fixture. It’s about performing. Finals are not meant to be played but to be won,” he said.
Masandawana will be without attacker Thembinkosi Lorch, who is injured and set to undergo surgery.
There are also fitness concerns about speedy winger Thapelo Maseko, left-back Aubrey Modiba, midfielders Lesiba Nku and Bathusi Aubaas, and defender Grant Kekana.
The Buccaneers are the Nedbank Cup defending champions. In addition to hoping to retain the trophy, they are also out to seal a season double after clinching the MTN8 earlier in the season.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro said it’s their last week together, and they have the opportunity to defend one of the trophies they got last season
“For us it is a massive opportunity to again represent Pirates in a final – the fourth in a row – and against a team like Mamelodi Sundowns. We just need to focus and concentrate on the things we know we need to do – to be the winning team in the end.”
Pirates will be without centre-back Tapelo Xoki, who has undergone surgery, but another central defender, Nkosinathi Sibisi, returns from suspension.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa tries to get past Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thembinkosi Lorch.
Image source: Orlando Pirates
