Mamelodi Sundowns' sun is up

There is no way to properly describe Mamelodi Sundowns. There is however one and true word to describe the owner, Patrice Motsepe: educated. Now Minwana Phezulu are in the Telkom KnockOut final, a miracle indeed.

Never in our lifetime have we imagined Minwana Phezulu would be that rock bottom without anyone rocking the boat. Not to say that it was the right thing to do and we may never see it again.

Motsepe of old would have wielded the axe and romped in a new and costly replacement, but he believed in a project that is not bearing fruits, unfortunately. Sundowns have been hit by a bad patch that will see the change in regime soon. It may also come with a mass exodus of players as there is no way to pick up the pieces, judging at the behavioural signs exhibited by the players’ body language. There is so many wrong things about the team.

Their woes are music to the ears of the Kaizer Chiefs fans who look forward to landing the crown to Naturena after their cosmopolitan troops seem to savour the purple patch. Amakhosi have been sublime in front of goal, with Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Manjoro enjoying the time of their lives.

Orlando Pirates on the other side are experiencing a yoyo of emotions as Roger de Sa slowly gets to grips with the Buccaneers movement. Pirates’ woes in their quest to defend their title are enhanced by their injury list making their camp resemble a hospital ward.

This is besides the over-weight problems they deal with in Benni McCarthy, Collins Mbesuma and Thulasizwe Mbuyane. It is likely that Moenoeb Josephs will have to negotiate his starting 11 place hard and strong with Senzo Meyiwa. Rooi Mahamutsa, Benni, Andile Jali and many others on the sidelines are team that can actually challenge for the championship. It is hard to raise one’s hand and bid for the top prize under the circumstances.

Platinum Stars seem to be shinning so far and their slow progress up the ladder impresses friends and foes but whether they are championship material will be answered when the Sea Robbers return to full strength, if Chiefs do not take advantage and run with the thing.

It must be mentioned that Sundowns’ neighbours on the standings have done wonders to come from a very amateur team into the Second Division Vodacom ranks for a season, pass into the National First Division and shoot to the ABSA Premier League.

The meteoric rise detrimentally affected their vision and zeal as seen by their three coaches who bit the dust in less than a third of the league matches played. The popular 2-match record for Mangqoba Mnqithi will remain a record for years, even though elsewhere, coaches were hired and fired even before they arrived at the football ground. Chippa United will need patience and I am confident that they have a project going.

It is however still early days to see the shape of the whole ABSA Premiership and soon enough, we will know.