Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams insists the pressure remains firmly on Orlando Pirates as the Betway Premiership title race heads into its decisive final stretch, with the Brazilians still at the summit.
Sundowns suffered a major setback this week after going down 3-2 to TS Galaxy in their final league match of the season at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
The defeat leaves Sundowns with a precarious three-point cushion over a surging Pirates. The Buccaneers are scheduled to host Durban City FC on Saturday before concluding their campaign on the road against Orbit College FC
The arithmetic now swings heavily in favour of Abdeslam Ouaddou and his charges. While Sundowns sit on 68 points, Pirates boast two games in hand and a superior goal difference, meaning a solitary victory from their final two fixtures would be enough to dismantle the Sundowns dynasty.
Securing those three points would officially end the Brazilians’ eight-year stranglehold on South African football and return the league trophy to Soweto for the first time since the 2011/12 season—ending a 14-year championship drought for the Sea Robbers.
Despite the mounting pressure, Adams believes there is still hope. However, he believes Sundowns must focus on continental silverware and qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup.
‘THERE’S STILL HOPE’: ADAMS
“Yeah, there’s still hope [to win the league], you know. We’re still top of the log, so the pressure is on them,” Adams said.
Sundowns now turn their attention to continental football, where they will host Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat in the first leg of their CAF Champions League clash on Sunday in Pretoria.
“If we win, we qualify for the Club World Cup, you know. It’s a massive achievement for us,” Adams added.
Sundowns have consistently set the benchmark in South African football in recent years, but their ambitions now stretch far beyond the PSL. Qualification for another Club World Cup dance would further cement their status among Africa’s elite and offer another opportunity to test themselves against the world’s best clubs.
Meanwhile, midfielder Nuno Santos admitted the team must quickly learn from their mistakes and improve in key moments if they are to finish the season strongly.
“We must review with the coaches what’s wrong [conceding seven goals in two games], what mistakes we make that we don’t want to repeat, and then train to get better at that point in specific, and move on. That’s it.”
This comes after they let in four goals against Siwelele and three against Galaxy in their last two league matches.
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