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Sundowns are the Manchester City of SA: Ncikazi

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Mandla Ncikazi has labelled Mamelodi Sundowns as the Manchester City of South African football.

The Lamontville Golden Arrows Assistant Coach was speaking ahead of their penultimate Absa Premiership game against the reigning champions in Tshwane on Tuesday, saying that beating the Brazilians will be a tough task, but not an impossible one.

Pitso Mosimane’s men will enter the game with a chance of moving top of the table should they gain all the points and Ncikazi admits that beating them will be difficult, especially after they were dumped out of the CAF Champions League at the weekend.

The Brazilians missed out on a place in the continental final when they could only draw 0-0 with Wydad Casablanca at home on Saturday, losing 2-1 on aggregate.

At the same time, log-leaders Orlando Pirates slipped up in the league when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Cape Town City.

That result means that wins in their last two games will see them crowned champions once again.

However, any slip-up will once again open the door for the Buccaneers, whose fans will all be backing Steve Komphela’s side at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.

Ncikazi says they are not out to do anyone favours.

While Sundowns have their sights set on winning a record ninth Premiership crown, Arrows are still hunting a place in the top eight.

They are presently on 36 points from 28 games, one behind Bloemfontein Celtic (37 points), Highlands Park (38 points) and Kaizer Chiefs (39 points), and all three having played a game more.

After facing the Brazilians, the Durban side will end 2018/19 when they host Bidvest Wits on the last day.

Ncikazi feels that four points from their last two games will guarantee them a top eight finish.

Ncikazi is also pleased that almost every situation from top to bottom in the PSL is going down to the wire this season.

Apart from the title race, the teams that will be relegated are yet to be determined, while the top eight is also not finalised.

The Arrows coach is excited about the final day, which will be on Saturday, but hopes that they can do most of their job towards ending in the top half of the table with a positive result in the capital on Tuesday night. – Report by Thahir Asmal

 

 

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