By Michael Madyira
Mamelodi Sundowns’ 13-match Premier Soccer League winning streak will come under severe scrutiny when they host in-form Sekhukhune United at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Brazilians have been ruthless, and in the process opened a 19-point gap at the top of the table.
They have been breezing past opponents to the extent of sparking a fierce debate around the introduction of the Fifa financial fair play regulations in the PSL.
But they now come up against Sekhukhune United, who have also been in top form, unbeaten in their last five games, including four successive victories.
That makes Saturday’s tie a potentially stormy affair that could see Sundowns’ bubble finally bursting.
Despite the Tshwane giants’ top performances, coach Rhulani Mokwena has been criticising their performances in recent matches, including the mid-week trip to struggling TS Galaxy.
“How many chances did we create [against TS Galaxy]? We could have scored a lot of goals,” Mokwena told the media.
“That’s why I don’t think it was hard fought, but I think we made it more difficult than it actually was.”
Even after edging Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, Mokwena was not happy with their display.
On Saturday, Masandawana’s squad depth will also face a strong test due to suspensions on top of a number of injuries to Mokwena’s key men.
Star attacker Themba Zwane is suspended after accumulating his fourth yellow card against TS Galaxy.
Defender Grant Kekana is also unavailable after picking up his fourth yellow card during the same match.
The Brazilians’ injury list keeps on getting longer, with the likes of Abdel Boutouil, Terrence Mashego, Rivaldo Coetzee, Lebohang Maboe, Aubrey Modiba, Abubeker Nasir, Haashim Domingo, Thabiso Kutumela and Thando Nkosi being fitness concerns.
Rushine de Reuck suffered concussion in the match against TS Galaxy, and Mokwena might see it as a risk to field him on Saturday.
Sekhukhune would be keen to exploit such a situation, but Sundowns midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise spells out their intentions.
While Masandawana are facing a possible upset by Sekhukhune, they also pose a huge threat to Babina Noko’s resurgence under Brandon Truter.
When Truter took over at Sekhukhune, he inherited a struggling team stuck at second from bottom, but they are now fifth in the standings.
Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns celebrating a goal
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
