Not so easy for Sundowns

Not so easy for Sundowns

Sundowns are confident of progressing to the African Champions League semi-finals but Petro Atletico are dangerous and the clash is one of several puzzles soccer fans must solve to win tomorrow’s R250,000-added TAB Soccer 10 pool

By Mark Gleeson

Mamelodi Sundowns have been sounding a confident note about their chances of overturning a one-goal deficit in the African Champions League quarter-final second leg and advancing to the semi-finals, but face a dangerous opponent at Soccer City tomorrow.

The clash is one of several challenging matches facing TAB customers in tomorrow’s R250,000-added Soccer 10 pool, which is expected to total over R2 million and could deliver a big payout.

Angolan club Petro Atletico showed much attacking prowess in the first leg, winning 2-1 and giving them a narrow lead over Sundowns going into the second leg.

While they did not dominate, they certainly induced an air of panic in the Sundowns back four. Their striker will again keep close order with the Sundowns backline and will be well placed to again take advantage of any chances that arise.

But coach Manqoba Mngqithi yesterday insisted his side were the better team and would be strong enough to overturn the deficit. They only need a 1-0 win to advance on the away-goals rule.

He’s full of confidence, but Sundowns have a long history of flattering to deceive in the group phase and then seeing all their good work go up in smoke by being knocked out in the quarter-finals.

In the African Confederation Cup on Sunday, Orlando Pirates must also come from a goal down if they are to get past Simba of Tanzania and into the semi-finals.

On the balance of their first-leg play, they do look far stronger than their East African guests and the tie has been elevated into something of a grudge game after Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi criticised the way his side were treated on their brief trip to Dar es Salaam last week.

He called it “inhuman”, setting off a brazen defence by the Tanzanian club claiming they “fear for their lives” when they get to Johannesburg and only plan to arrive in the country tomorrow, some 24 hours before the kick-off of the quarter-final second-leg tie.

In the DStv Premiership, second-placed Royal AM have to contend with Durban rivals AmaZulu as they look to consolidate their log position.

Cape Town City have the weekend off and Kaizer Chiefs go to Stellenbosch tomorrow on the back of coach Stuart Baxter’s departure. Chiefs have been better on the road than at home in recent months, although that’s not saying anything given that at Soccer City in 2022 they have failed to score, let alone actually win.

Stellenbosch did look a possibility for a top-three finish, but remain far too inconsistent. This will be their first game at the Danie Craven Stadium since the ban on spectators was lifted and local support might assist them even though Chiefs fans in the stands are expected to outnumber the home team’s supporters.