Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to bounce back when they visit Chippa United side at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a league match tomorrow (7.30pm).
Sundowns romped to the league crown last term as they lost just three times in 30 games to finish 16 points ahead of runners-up Cape Town City.
However, the Brazilians have found the going much tougher this season after suffering two defeats already in their opening six outings, the most recent of which came on Friday when they were beaten 2-1 by SuperSport United at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
The Chloorkop outfit trail current leaders Royal AM by three points albeit with a game in hand as the setback against the Spartans halted a three-match unbeaten run.
Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes they are still on course to reach their first-quarter target despite dropping eight points early on.
“In terms of our first cycle we fell off in terms of the number of points but we still [managed to get] 10 points in five matches and we still have 12 points to fight for in this cycle.
“In terms of the title defence I don’t think there’s so much that has happened that should suggest that we are off the rails or the title is going to be very, very difficult.
“it is always difficult to play SuperSport, it is always difficult to fight for the Championship in South Africa, it looks like it’s easy in the end but it’s never easy.”
The Chilli Boys prop up the table after winning just one of their first six encounters, although they were unfortunate not to get something from their clash with Golden Arrows on Saturday.
Daine Klate’s side put in a spirited performance in a 3-2 defeat at the Princess Magogo Stadium, having scored twice in the second half after trailing 3-0 at halftime.
The result extended their winless run to three games and Klate wants more consistency from his players early on in matches so that they don’t find themselves on the back foot so often.
“That’s what we’re trying to achieve but every starting line-up we put out there (in) the first half we always start a bit slow and we have to get over that,” he said.
“We have to try and gain momentum early on. The second half was there for everyone to see – we could have started with the players that came in for the second half but who’s to say it wouldn’t have been the same start.
“I thought the boys gave a good effort and they showed good desire, good willingness which (we) lacked first half … they really pushed and really tried so credit to the boys for putting up a brave effort and not giving up.”