Aces the next huge match for Sundowns
by Marc Strydom,
2016-02-22 05:00:00.0
MAMELODI Sundowns were preparing for one of their biggest matches of the season against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Wednesday, said Downs coach Pitso Mosimane after his side were held to a goalless draw by Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday night.
Premiership leaders Sundowns saw their gap over second-placed Wits cut from nine points to seven as they could not put away their chances against an Arrows side absorbing pressure at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Downs face third-placed Mpumalanga Black Aces at the same venue on Wednesday.
Mosimane said with the Brazilians now involved in the distracting Caf Champions League, his side would like to maintain as big a gap as possible on their chasing teams in the Premier Soccer League.
"The Aces game is very important. We are disappointed we didn’t win tonight. Because we thought the next four or five games could really give us an opportunity to play our strongest team in Africa, and prioritise on that," Mosimane said.
"We have to win our league games. Which makes Wednesday’s game bigger. Aces are near to us and if we can win it can give us a bit of space. The Chicken Inn game is also lingering in the back of the minds."
Downs meet Zimbabwean club Chicken Inn in the second leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary round tie at Lucas Moripe on Saturday, having lost the first leg 1-0.
Mosimane said the PSL could have made life easier for teams playing in Africa had they scheduled more matches last month, to make for a less congested February.
Arrows coach Clinton Larsen was impressed at how his team absorbed pressure against Downs, but felt they lacked a final pass on the counterattack.
"I thought the team executed the game plan well," he said, adding they wanted to neutralise Sundown on the sides.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. Picture: GALLO IMAGES, DUIF DU TOIT
MAMELODI Sundowns were preparing for one of their biggest matches of the season against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Wednesday, said Downs coach Pitso Mosimane after his side were held to a goalless draw by Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday night.
Premiership leaders Sundowns saw their gap over second-placed Wits cut from nine points to seven as they could not put away their chances against an Arrows side absorbing pressure at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Downs face third-placed Mpumalanga Black Aces at the same venue on Wednesday.
Mosimane said with the Brazilians now involved in the distracting Caf Champions League, his side would like to maintain as big a gap as possible on their chasing teams in the Premier Soccer League.
"The Aces game is very important. We are disappointed we didn’t win tonight. Because we thought the next four or five games could really give us an opportunity to play our strongest team in Africa, and prioritise on that," Mosimane said.
"We have to win our league games. Which makes Wednesday’s game bigger. Aces are near to us and if we can win it can give us a bit of space. The Chicken Inn game is also lingering in the back of the minds."
Downs meet Zimbabwean club Chicken Inn in the second leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary round tie at Lucas Moripe on Saturday, having lost the first leg 1-0.
Mosimane said the PSL could have made life easier for teams playing in Africa had they scheduled more matches last month, to make for a less congested February.
Arrows coach Clinton Larsen was impressed at how his team absorbed pressure against Downs, but felt they lacked a final pass on the counterattack.
"I thought the team executed the game plan well," he said, adding they wanted to neutralise Sundown on the sides.
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