Mamelodi Sundowns have to rediscover their deadliness in front of goal in a potentially pivotal match in their defence of their Absa Premiership title against SuperSport United on Thursday night‚ says Downs captain Hlompo Kekana.
Sundowns at one stage appeared to have all the games in hand and potential points they needed to almost cruise to a second consecutive championship.
After a damaging slump of five league games without a victory‚ now even if Downs win their two games in hand on leaders and fellow title favourites Bidvest Wits‚ they will still have a three-point deficit.
It is action stations for African champions Downs in the Tshwane derby against fourth-placed SuperSport at Loftus Versfeld to rediscover their groove‚ or risk putting themselves in an uncomfortable position of catch-up in this season’s PSL race.
“Firstly‚ as a team we will be very naive if we want to look at the two fixtures (in hand). We want to do well and start winning matches‚” Kekana said.
“And it will be very important for us to start scoring goals. Because that has been our challenge for the past six games.
“We’re very much aware of that as players. We want to try and go into Thursday’s game and try to rectify those mistakes.
“The only thing that’s letting us down is in front of goal. We don’t have confidence in front of goal‚ we’re not ruthless enough in front of goal.
“Our downfall is not taking those chances. We are aware of that as a team and that we need to rectify that.”
Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup last-16 defeat at home against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday confirmed that the Brazilians are truly in a slump.
Downs have scored a paltry three goals in their last seven games domestically‚ winning just one of those‚ against lower-tier Mariveni United in the Nedbank; losing three and drawing three.
In the PSL Downs have 35 points from 19 games‚ while Wits have 44 from 21.
SuperSport‚ on 37 points from 21 matches‚ also need to win on Thursday to keep alive their title hopes.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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