Stones proves to be a rock for treble-chasing City
Stones proves to be a rock for treble-chasing City
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Maritzburg need a miracle
Maritzburg need a miracle Struggling Maritzburg United are desperate for three points and could open the door for a huge TAB Soccer 10 payout tonight if they manage to beat champions Mamelodi Sundowns who are sure to field their second-string side in their final league match of the season. By Mark Gleeson The last two rounds of the Premier Soccer League season usually sees all the games being played simultaneously. However, due to the success of South African clubs in continental club competitions, this has not been possible over the last two years. Mamelodi Sundowns host the second leg of their African Champions League semi-final against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on Saturday and, as a result, have had their final league game brought forward to tonight at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, where they will be handed the trophy and receive their winners’ medals for a sixth successive season. But the focus will not be as much on Sundowns as it will be on opponents Maritzburg United, who are in a three-way tie at the bottom of the table. They have 29 points along with Marumo Gallants and Chippa United but an inferior goal difference. If they lose, they will likely finish last and be relegated. It would seem an almost impossible task for struggling Maritzburg to beat the champions and take away the vital points they need, but for Sundowns this is a nothing-match. They have long since secured the league title and will almost surely field their second-string side, having been in Morocco at the weekend for the first leg of their Champions League semi and resting their regulars for Saturday’s return. Therefore, Maritzburg have a chance to pull off a Houdini-type escape act, although to be realistic, a second-string Sundowns is better than most others’ first choice. Tomorrow Gallants will attempt to come from two goals down in their African Confederation Cup semi-final against Young Africans of Tanzania as they bid to reach the final. They had a host of chances to score in last Wednesday’s first leg in Dar-es-Salaam but lost 0-2, conceding the second late in the game. Gallants do look capable of playing the east Africans off the field but might come to regret their inability to finish as they look to turn around the tie. We will also see the identity of the two UEFA Champions League finalists unveiled over the next 48 hours with Inter Milan in the driving seat going into the second leg of their derby against AC Milan tonight after winning the first leg 2-0 and then Manchester City with home advantage tomorrow against Real Madrid, after last week’s first leg in Spain ended 1-1. Manchester City is still on track for the Treble but there is always the possibility they could let it slip and continue their Champions League hoodoo. It is going to take something special tomorrow to eliminate holders Real Madrid.
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