Mamelodi Sundowns are flying without wings, the sky is really the only limit for them when it comes to winning the league title. It is coach Antonio Lopez’s mandate to clinch the league this season and he is right on track.
The Brazilians have won six of their seven league games, losing only to other hot league favourites Orlando Pirates. In the process they have scored 11 goals — making them the second highest scoring team behind Bidvest Wits — conceding only three goals, second to Kaizer Chiefs who so far have let in only two goals.
For Sundowns supporters it is a breath of fresh air to see their team sitting pretty on top of the log with a four points lead. The hopes are high that the team might finally deliver the elusive Absa Premiership title. Last season they came so close but it was not to be.
Sundowns will be naive to relax at this point, the league race is indeed not a sprint, it is a marathon. Like the famous Comrades Marathon it requires the highest level of endurance, perseverance, guts, determination as well as a bit of luck. It will be interesting to see how much Sundowns have in them come mid-season when the pressure starts mounting.
Teams like Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will definitely put Sundowns under tremendous pressure. They are strong contenders for the league and they have made their intentions clear on the field of play. Don’t forget dark horses Ajax CT and defending champions SuperSport United who cannot be counted out just yet.
After years of consistent investment in his team, Patrice Motsepe will want nothing more than to win the league title this season, the team has the players and the depth to accomplish that. They are basically the Chelsea of South African football and they need to start earning the respect they so lack these days.
Lopez has the opportunity to become a hero at Sundowns, a coach who finally brought joy to the faithful. There is still a long way to go, but it’s possible if he can get his troops to keep their nerve and keep on producing the goods.
Until then, the question will remain: Can Sundowns go all the way and lift the Absa Premiership trophy?
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