Mamelodi Sundowns can move clear at the top by beating Golden Arrows

Mamelodi Sundowns can take sole possession of first place in the Betway Premiership when they face Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are level on 13 points, although Pirates currently lead the standings on goal difference. However, Pirates are not involved in league action this weekend because they are travelling to Mauritius for their CAF Champions League first preliminary round match on Sunday.

That gives Sundowns the opportunity to move three points clear at the summit if they win in Durban. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00.

The meeting will be the second between the sides in a week. Sundowns defeated Golden Arrows also known as Abafana Bes’thende in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final last week and will be aiming to follow that success with another victory.

Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso said his side needed to learn from the mistakes made in the previous match, despite eventually securing a 3-2 win.

“There were things that happened throughout the match that we need to understand so we can plan how to approach the fixture.

“Now we need to rest the players. They are very tired and Arrows didn’t play during the week. So, we need freshness, we need capacity and we need another beautiful, competitive match.”

Sundowns were also in action on Wednesday, when they beat Milford 2-0 in Pretoria. That result moved them level with Pirates on the league table and kept them firmly in contention for top spot.

The start of the Champions League schedule is expected to make the domestic title race more demanding for the leading teams. Cardoso believes the packed calendar will place greater pressure on both Sundowns and Pirates as they attempt to compete in South Africa and Africa at the same time.

“Both teams [Sundowns and Pirates] will have to play a lot during the week, by playing Champions League matches and the group stages.”

Cardoso also expects Kaizer Chiefs to challenge the two current leading sides for the Betway Premiership title. He has been impressed by the club since the appointment of new manager Fernando da Cruz and believes Chiefs will remain involved in the battle.

“We will see what’s going to happen with the stress and the pressure. In the Champions League you have to play the best, otherwise you don’t win.

“It might be too early, but there will probably be a high level of competition between the three teams, because Kaizer Chiefs will be there for sure.”

A victory over Golden Arrows would therefore give Sundowns an important advantage before Pirates return to league action, while also extending the pressure on the teams competing at the top of the table.