By Michael Madyira
Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda has warned the Brazilians never to underestimate the quality of Orlando Pirates.
Premier Soccer log leaders Sundowns will be at Orlando Stadium on Saturday for this potentially stormy affair against the improved Buccaneers.
While Masandawana are on a whirlwind, having registered 14 consecutive league wins, they come up against a Pirates side that has won their last three matches.
Mabunda feels that being run by Pirates is a strong message not to take for granted the challenge they are facing.
A veteran of many Sundowns-Pirates clashes, Mabunda has a close appreciation of the pound-for-pound threat that awaits the Brazilians in Soweto.
“We can never underestimate the quality that Orlando Pirates have, because they have been doing well in the past few games,” said Mabunda.
“You can see their continuous run of form. It sends a message to us to be cautious. We don’t just go there to try and chase records, we have a responsibility to make the Masandawana faithful happy.
“We still have the responsibility to continue doing well, to see the team always winning. If we keep a solid team and a solid performance, we will be able to score many goals.”
While Pirates might throw into the fray some of their January signings, Sundowns didn’t participate in the player transfer market.
Masandawana signed seven players before the September 2022 player transfer deadline but they still show depth even when hit by injuries.
That depth has seen 15 different Sundowns players scoring in the league this season.
Three of their forwards are gunning for the PSL Golden Boot as Peter Shalulile tops the scorers’ chart with nine goals.
Rookie Cassius Mailula has found the back of the net six times while Neo Maema has five strikes.
“I’m just happy we have so many scoring boots from different players,” Mabunda said.
“If you try and focus on one, somebody else can score or create. It really gives us a bit of confidence that as we go there, we have something to come back with.”
After Pirates beat Sundowns 3-0 in the MTN8 semi-final, second leg, they are one of the three teams to record victory over the Tshwane giants this term.
SuperSport United and TS Galaxy are the other teams to have beaten Masandawana.
Pictured above: Sundowns players celebrating
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
