Maritzburg United coach Simo Dladla has likened Mamelodi Sundowns’ style of play to that of the Motsepe Foundation Championship club ahead of their Nedbank Cup clash with Rulani Mokwena’s side.
The Team of Choice brushed Paarl United aside with a 3-0 scoreline to secure a spot in the Last 16 of the competition.
They will travel to Pretoria on Sunday, 17 March to face the the Brazilians in a match that will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 pm.
Dladla believes there are similarities between the Tshwane giants and the second-tier outfit Orbit College in the way the two sides play.
However, he stated Sundowns’ quality is a vivid difference between the two.
SIMO DLADLA SAYS THERE ARE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SUNDOWNS AND ORBIT COLLEGE
“It’s true that Orbit plays like Sundowns but if you look at Sundowns’ quality and Orbit’s, it’s two different things,” said Dladla during the Nedbank Cup press conference.
“But you really have to compliment Orbit, especially their coach. If I remember correctly, in 2014, we were together in the Playoffs in Bloemfontein.
“We were in the same group, the same Orbit, the same coach who has now promoted the club to where they are now.
“And they always had the same philosophy, the same game model and it’s similar to that of Sundowns.
“But the difference now is quality.”
Orbit were promoted to the second-tier in June last year after they beat Umsinga United in the ABC Motsepe National Playoffs semi-final.
They have had a good run in their first season in the Championship as they currently sit third with 37 points. They’re in the title race in the top three, all separated by one point with nine games to go.
Magesi FC are on top of the table with 39 points while AmaTuks are second with 38 points. Meanwhile, Dladla’s side is tenth on the log standings with 26 points after 21 games.
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