Mamelodi Sundowns’ Aubrey Modiba believes that Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League elimination will have no bearing when the two sides meet this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld [15:30].
The 30-year-old and his teammates return to league action this weekend, looking to get one over third-placed Orlando Pirates, with just three points between them and the latter having two games in hand.
The Buccaneers will be looking to continue nursing their wounds, as they bounced back with a 1-0 win over Magesi in the Carling Knockout, following a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Saint Eloi Lupopo in their second leg CAF Champions League qualifying round encounter last Saturday at Orlando Stadium.
“I don’t think being knocked out in the Champions League helps them or anything, because they’ve got a very good squad. They’ve got depth in their squad. They’ve signed very, very quality players this season,” said Modiba.
The last meeting between the Soweto and Tshwane giants in August saw the Soweto-based side advance to the MTN8 final, which they subsequently won.
“They’ll still give us a good run for our money because the quality that they have, you could see, they could juggle the Champions League, league, MTN8, and the national team as well, because they’ve got many players in the national team as well. So, I don’t think that changes anything because they’ve got depth in their squad, the quality, they’re doing well, and I don’t think it changes anything,” added the former SuperSport United player.
Sundowns will be without Malibongwe Khoza and Teboho Mokoena due to injury and suspension.
With Bafana Ba Style playing at home, the man affectionately known as “Postman” has issued a rallying cry to the Sundowns faithful to come out in their numbers and arrive early at the stadium.
“I think it’s important for supporters to come early, make sure that they get their parking, they have their tickets in their hands because we’ve seen in games before, where, like, there’s a stampede or something,” said Modiba.
“To try and avoid that, I think they must come early in numbers, and obviously, having to delay the game, I think it’s not a good thing for us as players,” added Modiba.
With bragging rights on the line and this being one of the highly anticipated domestic fixtures on the calendar, Sundowns will be aiming to make amends for their MTN8 semi-final loss to the Sea Robbers.
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