A FORMER goalkeeper of both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates is excitedly anticipating the Premiership clash of the two giants this weekend – and believes the Brazilians will have the edge over the Buccaneers.
John Tlale is a name that should ring a bell for any self respecting South African football fan, such was his impact on the game.
A multiple championship winner, he also earned a handful of Bafana Bafana caps, having been part of the Class of 1996 that won the Africa Cup of Nations, and is truly a legend of the game.
He has since retired now and – though not directly involved with the game – continues to watch it intently, and believes it is going to take something special to stop Sundowns winning an eighth league title.
“I am anticipating a very difficult match, not easy to predict, because Pirates are on top of their game, while Sundowns sometimes look casual, even though they win matches,” Tlale told Independent Media Sport yesterday about Saturday’s blockbuster clash at Loftus Versfeld (3.30pm kick-off).
“You saw how impressive they were when they beat (Golden) Arrows 4-0.
“But if I I have to put my money up for a bet, I will say Sundowns.
“You look at most of their games… they don’t concede goals and they score goals.
“Also, they want to open the gap, and they know that if Pirates win, they are under pressure.
“On the other hand, Pirates have more pressure because they are the ones chasing. If Sundowns get a draw, the gap will remain the same.”
While impressed with how Pirates are doing well this season and actually giving Sundowns a good run for their money, Tlale wonders if the Buccaneers will be able to sustain it for the entire season.
“Pirates win matches consistently, but my concern is that they use one team for most of their matches,” he said.
“Of course, there is some depth at Pirates, and they have some of their injured players coming back, and this will add to the squad.
“But I think the coach needs to try rotating the team a little bit because I foresee a challenge going forward.
“I think these boys are going to get exhausted as time goes on. The Pirates coach (Jose Riveiro) does not change the team much, and it is a good thing for continuity.
“But at some point, the coach needs to rest some players for regeneration because when the second round comes, they will be tired.”
Like most, Tlale said that he was taken aback by Sundowns decision to fire Manqoba Mngqithi as their coach and replace him with Miguel Cardoso.
”I was surprised that Sundowns got rid of Manqoba because I feel they did not give him enough time in charge,“ he said.
“I don’t think the problem was the results, but rather the dressing room as we saw with that challenge he had with some of the senior players – and I feel that’s what led to him being let go.”
Tlale is not yet sure what to make of the new Portuguese coach in charge of his former club.
“I can’t say I’m really impressed by Cardoso. He’s still new and still learning the players, but it looks to me that the team is changing,” he said.
“They don’t really play the way we know Sundowns to play, and for me, it becomes a challenge – because even though they are winning, they are not the Sundowns we know.”
That notwithstanding, Tlale believes Sundowns will still have the edge over Pirates on Saturday.
