Downs need this

Teko Modise believes it will be a travesty of justice for Mamelodi Sundowns to finish the season without a single trophy. Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Teko Modise believes it will be a travesty of justice for Mamelodi Sundowns to finish the season without a single trophy. Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Published May 14, 2015

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It’s a travesty of justice for Mamelodi Sundowns to finish the season without a single trophy.

This is according to Sundowns playmaker Teko Modise, who has his sights on inspiring the Brazilians to Nedbank Cup glory this weekend.

“The team is spending millions every off-season to buy players to come and win something for the team so it’s an injustice for us not to win. Yes, we tasted victory last season but we need something this time too,” said Modise.

“Other teams are winning season in and season out. It’s high time Sundowns start doing so. With us the pressure is more of not winning enough trophies. With Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, more or less every two seasons, they win something.”

Sundowns competed for five trophies this season but they have missed out on four already – the Absa Premiership, the MTN8, the Telkom Knockout and the CAF Champions League. The Nedbank Cup, which they will battle for against Ajax Cape Town at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon, is their only chance of winning any trophy this season. Modise, whose side finished second in the league, is hoping they can atone for their lack of delivery this season and lift the title.

“It’s been a bad season. We have not won anything. Being second is never good enough. We need to do better and hopefully Saturday will be a consolation,” said the player nicknamed ‘The General’.

Modise, double PSL Footballer of the Season, has been one of the stand-out performers for Pitso Mosimane’s side and his efforts have been rewarded with three nominations for PSL awards.

“After all these years I am honoured to be nominated. Whoever wins it I am going to congratulate them. For me what is important is to do well for the team on Saturday. I had a great season last year but for now my goal is to play as best as I can for the team.”

For Modise and his teammates to make the grade, they will have to shrug off the challenge of Roger de Sa’s youthful Ajax side who have adopted a fearless attacking approach, which they execute with vigour. Modise, 32, knows that the men from the capital city have to be at their best if they are to outdo Ajax, who will pin their hopes on Granwald Scott, Bantu Mzwakali, Tashreeg Morris, Riyaard Norodien and Keegan Dolly among others.

“They are very young and energetic. They’re really good and once you make a mistake you know they’ll punish you. We’ll try and minimise the mistakes and score as many goals as we can,” said Modise.

“It’s going to be a tough game. It’s not like we have never played Ajax before but it’s a different game – a cup final. It’s going to be an emotional game and we need to be smart.”

Saturday will also see Sundowns bid farewell to their captain Alje Schut, who is set to return to his home country after three seasons at the six-time PSL champions. The towering Dutch defender has been an influential figure and Modise says Sundowns just have to win the Nedbank Cup in honour of the man who has served them with such distinction.

“He has adapted well to South African football and the guys have learnt so much from him. He says he wants to finish on a high and we want to ensure that he does. We have to send him off with a gold medal.” - The Star

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