Not so easy for Sundowns
Not so easy for ...
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Sundowns on course to complete a clean sweep of domestic trophies.
By Mark Gleeson Mamelodi Sundowns will need only one point against Cape Town City tomorrow (WED) to win the DStv Premiership for a record-extending 15th time and an unprecedented fifth title in a row, underlining their superiority in the domestic game. But the clash against the high flying Capetonian side comes just days after the bitter disappointment of elimination from the African Champions League at the hands of Angola’s Petro Atletico after Saturday’s quarter-final second leg tie. Just how Sundowns react after their failure yet again to achieve their stated ambition of another African title remains to be seen. There could be a heady backlash for City to have to do deal with, or the Brazilians might have a hangover and prove lethargic, sulky and disinterested. Ordinarily, a chance to secure the title should be sufficient motivation but Sundowns have been somewhat condescending towards domestic competition, such has been their overwhelming dominance. Tomorrow’s game could prove another dent in an otherwise close to perfect season although it is hard to see Sundowns not getting at least one point and keeping up their unbeaten home record in this season’s league action. City are the only team who can still catch them but would have to win all their remaining matches while Sundowns would need to lose their remaining five for there to be a dramatic change at the top by the last day of the season on 21 May. Eric Tinkler’s team have been the form side of 2022, along with second placed Royal AM, with the greatest number of points since the restart of the season in February. They also have Mduduzi Mdantsane back from suspension to bolster their attack. Tomorrow also sees Orlando Pirates hosts Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs away at Lamontville Golden Arrows as the race for second place behind Sundowns continues. This is the rescheduling of the disputed match that Chiefs failed to travel to Durban in December and while Arrows are happy to play, Cape Town City are taking legal action to stop PSL plans to reschedule their ‘Covidgate’ game against Chefs at Soccer City on Saturday. Chiefs and Pirates are among five clubs still holding out hopes of finishing second and earning a berth in next seasons’ Champions League alongside Sundowns. In the UEFA Champions League tonight (TUES) and tomorrow, LaLiga and the Premier League go head-to-head in their semi-final leg ties to determine which is the best league in the world.
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