No rest for the Buccaneers
While Orlando Pirates face a tricky test against Chippa United tonight in Gqeberha – their fourth match of the season in just 11 days – Mamelodi Sundowns look a banker bet when they face Golden Arrows, a team they have not lost against in their last ten clashes.
By Mark Gleeson
Orlando Pirates’ trip to The Comoros this weekend in the African Champions League has resulted in their scheduled league clash against Chippa United having been brought forward to tonight.
It will be a tricky trip to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the Buccaneers who will be playing a fourth match in the space of 11 days. That includes an away defeat in their league opener against Stellenbosch, followed by a 4-2 win over Royal AM last midweek and a runaway weekend success over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8.
While their spirits might be high after the 5-0 drubbing of Sekhukhune, there is no doubt they will be tired and coach Jose Riveiro will surely be forced to make some changes.
Chippa, in contrast, have had a decent rest and come into this game on the back of successive goalless draws. Eccentric coach Morgan Mamilla, this time last year working as a club administrator, remains a bizarre choice to lead the team and does look to hide his inadequacies with bluster, but also has the force of personality to galvanise his charges.
There is also a home game tonight for Mamelodi Sundowns against Lamontville Golden Arrows where the champions can make it three league wins in a row and begin to move away from the rest of the pack. Sundowns have not lost in their past 10 clashes with Arrows, who have made an unbeaten start to the new campaign.
Tomorrow, Manchester City take on Sevilla in the Super Cup, the annual clash pitting the Champions League winners against the side that won the previous season’s Europa League.
It is a match both clubs would probably be happy to skip, particularly this year as they travel a long distance to Athens to play it.
Sevilla lost at home in their LaLiga opener at the weekend, but at the same time City did not miss a beat from last season’s emphatic performances to beat news boys Burnley 3-0 away. Pep Guardiola’s side should again be overwhelming favourites.
At the Women’s World Cup, Australia will look to continue riding a wave of home support as they take on England while Spain and Sweden look evenly matched in the first semi-final. One sure bet for the tournament Down Under is the fact there will be a first-time winner of the trophy as none of the four semi-finalists have had previous World Cup success.