WeeklySA_Adminlast HOPE: The Birds implored to halt Sundowns making it three wins against Soweto giants
By Ali Mphaki
With both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs out of the way, Mamelodi Sundowns aim to make it three in a row against Soweto giants when they host Swallows FC at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, Sunday.
Seemingly unstoppable in their winning streak, Sundowns however, will have to be very cautious as they face a wounded Swallows who are still smarting over their midweek loss to Cape Town City in the MTN8 semi-finals, where they were bundled out with an embarrassing 4-0 score-line.
What brings some comfort for the Dube Birds is that since their readmission to top flight football last season, they have never lost to Sundowns.
In their last encounter end of May both teams played to a goalless draw, having also played to a 1-all draw early in the season.
But with Swallows having teething problems – their head coach Brandon Truter suspended and his fate hanging in the balance – on paper this encounter looks like another walk in the park for Sundowns.
And if conventional wisdom that games are won or lost long before the kick-off is anything to go by, the shenanigans at Swallows places the Dube Birds on the back-foot ahead of this DStv Premiership game,
Having shed some of their core players during the transfer window period, it would seem the Swallows bubble had burst and the team is struggling to emulate their last season form as “King of Draws”.
Making matters worse for The Birds is that they have lost their last three outings, having lost 1-nil to Pirates on September 11, going down 3-nil to SuperSport at home on September 19 – before being edged out of the coveted MTN8 tournament midweek.
Cumulatively, Swallows have conceded eight goals in three of their last outings, which clearly shows their defence is porous with many holes like a Swiss cheese.
Their back-four comprised of Sipho Sibiya, Vuyo Mere, Junaid Sait and Tebogo Langerman would need to improve their communication to stop the floodgates.
Some shake-up is also due in the midfield, with the ‘highly “rated” Lehlogonolo Matlou fresh from a stint in Portugal struggling to find his mojo.
So predictable is Swallows that whenever talisman and captain Lebohang Mokoena is a bit off, the whole team seem to struggle to find their rhythm
The onus falls on Ruzaigh Gamaldien to rise to the occasion and lead the Birds to winning ways. With stakes so high and their pride at stake, this is one game Swallows cannot afford to lose.
It can never be a good story to tell should Sundowns beat Swallows – in a way making it three consecutive wins against Soweto teams within a spate of two months.
This is a game which Pirates and Chiefs fans will be rooting for Swallows.
The Birds dare never disappoint.
