Mamelodi Sundowns defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele believes Bidvest Wits now have the advantage in the Premiership title race after the Clever Boys were knocked out of the Caf Confederation Cup at the weekend.
Gavin Hunt’s men were eliminated following a 7-6 defeat on penalties in the preliminary round against Royal Leopards in Swaziland, while fellow title challengers Sundowns and leaders Kaizer Chiefs still have daunting trips in the Champions League to Lubumbashi and Casablanca respectively in the coming weeks after progressing at the weekend. Sundowns face the DRC’s TP Mazembe and Chiefs meet Morocco’s Raja Casablanca.
Third-placed Wits, who now have the league and Nedbank Cup to focus on, host second-placed Sundowns at Bidvest Stadium tonight (7.30pm) in a battle both clubs need to win to enhance their chances of lifting the title this season.
Both sides are 10 points behind Amakhosi, who are yet to win a league game in 2015.
“Wits now have one less thing to worry about. They have an advantage now because we will be travelling to TP Mazembe and Chiefs have to go play in Casablanca. Those games are never easy because of the travelling. Wits now have the league and Nedbank Cup to worry about. I think they are very serious contenders. They have good players and a good coach,” said Mphahlele, who has been shifted from right- back to play alongside Alje Schut in central defence by coach Pitso Mosimane.
Sundowns were beaten 3-1 at Bidvest Wits stadium last season, but the defending champions will fancy their chances of winning today having lost just once away from home this season. Wits, however, will be a tough nut to crack, the Clever Boys boasting a home record of just two defeats in nine matches.
“The pitch at Wits is smaller than most pitches and they like to play a lot of long balls. They have turned that place into a fortress. We really need to be switched on.”
Mphahlele, meanwhile, says Orlando Pirates should not be ruled out of the title race. Pirates are just 12 points behind Chiefs and two adrift of Sundowns and Wits.
“We should take them seriously. They are coming from behind quietly and they are winning games. They still have to play Chiefs and Wits, so yes they are in the race.”
Meanwhile, tonight’s clash not only pits the two teams tied in second place in the Premier Soccer League standings, but it is also the 16th episode in an intriguing battle of wits between coaches Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane.
Previous battles between the two on the bench have been one-sided. Hunt has won seven of their 15 previous meetings with just two successes for Mosimane.
They have shared six draws.
Their last matchup was a goalless draw earlier this season.
But last season it was honours even between the two – who have an age difference of just a matter of months and also competed against each other in their playing days.
Almost exactly a year ago, Wits scored a 3-1 home win on March 1, that marked the last defeat for Sundowns before they set off on the 10-match winning streak that landed them the championship.
Earlier in the season Sundowns had won 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld to give Mosimane a rare sense of satisfaction against his nemesis.
Mosimane’s first win came after nine games without success against Hunt when Katlego Mphela scored the only goal for SuperSport against Moroka Swallows in 2007.
But while there is a keen rivalry, it is also obvious that there is a mutual respect, even they have looked to have lost some conviviality in recent years.
Clever boys hold the aces
Gavin Hunt’s men were eliminated following a 7-6 defeat on penalties in the preliminary round against Royal Leopards in Swaziland, while fellow title challengers Sundowns and leaders Kaizer Chiefs still have daunting trips in the Champions League to Lubumbashi and Casablanca respectively in the coming weeks after progressing at the weekend. Sundowns face the DRC’s TP Mazembe and Chiefs meet Morocco’s Raja Casablanca.
Third-placed Wits, who now have the league and Nedbank Cup to focus on, host second-placed Sundowns at Bidvest Stadium tonight (7.30pm) in a battle both clubs need to win to enhance their chances of lifting the title this season.
Both sides are 10 points behind Amakhosi, who are yet to win a league game in 2015.
“Wits now have one less thing to worry about. They have an advantage now because we will be travelling to TP Mazembe and Chiefs have to go play in Casablanca. Those games are never easy because of the travelling. Wits now have the league and Nedbank Cup to worry about. I think they are very serious contenders. They have good players and a good coach,” said Mphahlele, who has been shifted from right- back to play alongside Alje Schut in central defence by coach Pitso Mosimane.
Sundowns were beaten 3-1 at Bidvest Wits stadium last season, but the defending champions will fancy their chances of winning today having lost just once away from home this season. Wits, however, will be a tough nut to crack, the Clever Boys boasting a home record of just two defeats in nine matches.
“The pitch at Wits is smaller than most pitches and they like to play a lot of long balls. They have turned that place into a fortress. We really need to be switched on.”
Mphahlele, meanwhile, says Orlando Pirates should not be ruled out of the title race. Pirates are just 12 points behind Chiefs and two adrift of Sundowns and Wits.
“We should take them seriously. They are coming from behind quietly and they are winning games. They still have to play Chiefs and Wits, so yes they are in the race.”
Meanwhile, tonight’s clash not only pits the two teams tied in second place in the Premier Soccer League standings, but it is also the 16th episode in an intriguing battle of wits between coaches Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane.
Previous battles between the two on the bench have been one-sided. Hunt has won seven of their 15 previous meetings with just two successes for Mosimane.
They have shared six draws.
Their last matchup was a goalless draw earlier this season.
But last season it was honours even between the two – who have an age difference of just a matter of months and also competed against each other in their playing days.
Almost exactly a year ago, Wits scored a 3-1 home win on March 1, that marked the last defeat for Sundowns before they set off on the 10-match winning streak that landed them the championship.
Earlier in the season Sundowns had won 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld to give Mosimane a rare sense of satisfaction against his nemesis.
Mosimane’s first win came after nine games without success against Hunt when Katlego Mphela scored the only goal for SuperSport against Moroka Swallows in 2007.
But while there is a keen rivalry, it is also obvious that there is a mutual respect, even they have looked to have lost some conviviality in recent years.
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