After a highly contested encounter on Saturday, the Downs tactician has acknowledged Bucs' strength as the title race gathers speed. The Sea Robbers first went down and fought back to share spoils courtesy of a beautifully struck effort by a midfielder who was least expected to start.
The defending league champions were held to a 1–1 draw by the Buccaneers at Loftus Versfeld, bringing their perfect home run to an end. Namibian striker Peter Shalulile opened the scoring, but the Soweto giants hit back through Camren Dansin to snatch a point, leaving the early Premier Soccer League title race finely poised.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Masandawana's hosting of the Soweto giants in a Premier Soccer League match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Brazilians lead the standings and are three points ahead of fourth-placed Buccaneers who need to win by a five-goal margin to go on top of the table.
With both Masandawana and the Glamour Boys hoping to do well in their CAF games, the tactician has asked for support from the local football governing body. Last season, Downs managed to reach the final of the Champions League despite the fact that they had a congested calendar.
Masandawana will be up against the Soweto giants as both sides resume league duties after taking part in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round games. Top on the Brazilians' target is a revenge against Bucs, who eliminated them from the MTN8 tournament.
The Brazilians will approach one of their most highly anticipated games without a key figure in their squad, as the 28-year-old is set to miss the match after picking up his fourth yellow card.
The caution came in the dying minutes of the Carling Knockout Cup clash against Marumo Gallants, a moment that has forced the coach to rethink his options.
Masandawana are often accused of ‘killing the competition’ by hoovering up the best talent their money can buy. However, highlighted by Cardoso, the latest batch of new signings like Fawaaz Basadien, Katlego ‘Tsiki’ Ntsabeleng, and Asekho Tiwani are still to prove themselves worthy at the reigning champions.
Nuno Santos and Peter Shalulile scored at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium to hand the Brazilians another win after beating their second preliminary round rivals on their own turf in the first leg. Since the big win at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Downs' tactician has revealed that their objectives shifted.
On Sunday, South African defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stages with a commanding 7–1 aggregate win over Nigeria’s Remo Stars. The result underlines Masandawana’s continental ambitions as they continue their pursuit of a second CAF Champions League star.
Heading into the return leg, Masandawana all but sealed their spot in the group stages after a dominant 5-1 first-leg win over Stars. With their midweek league clash against Sekhukhune United postponed, the hosts enjoyed a full week of focused prep ahead of the second leg, ready to finish the job and maintain their continental momentum.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Madandawana's hosting of the Sky Blue in this CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. Having recorded a big win away in Nigeria last week, Masandawana are likely to have an easy afternoon but at the same time wary of a big upset.
The Tshwane giants head into the game confident, given the kind of results they registered away from home. The technical bench must be mulling over whether to deploy their usual first teamers or deploy other players who have not been regularly used in order to prove themselves.
The Brazilians have been criticised when they putting below-par standards owing to the quality within their squad, which is made up of experienced members. The former Esperance coach insists it is not the right way to gauge the team since their rivals seem to get a soft landing.
Since winning the 2011/12 Premier Soccer League title, the Buccaneers have found it hard to lift this trophy. But their rivals Masandawana have clinched it for the last eight seasons in a row. That leaves the Soweto giants with a challenge to break the dominance of the Tshwane giants.
The Brazilians made a statement win in Abeokuta, making their intentions clear in the premier continental competition. After finishing as runner-up last season, Masandawana are back for another shot at the tournament they last won in 2016.
Going by how they have performed on the domestic front, there were fears Masandawana could struggle. However, the Tshwane giants were in a class of their own, as they registered a huge first-leg win.
