Pretoria – Only God can stop Mamelodi Sundowns from winning the league. This is a bold declaration by Sundowns defender Rashid Sumaila, who says none of the PSL teams can beat the log leaders to the Absa Premiership title this season.
“Apart from God, no one can stop us. Only God can stop Sundowns. Apart from football, we pray and seek God’s guidance in everything,” said Sumaila.
The Ghanaian international, who put on the Brazilians’ jersey at the beginning of this season, doesn’t see any team finishing above Sundowns.
“Apart from God, no one can say Sundowns can’t take the league. We don’t have one player that we can say can score. We have a lot of players who can score. If this one can not score, that one can score. The team work is very important. We combine well. You can’t say this one is an old player this one is new. We are all one family. We help each other. I am confident we can win the league,” said the centreback.
Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits were touted among sides that had what it took to walk away with the PSL championship at the end of the season.
However, Sumaila ruled out all the teams saying Pitso Mosimane’s side were determined to end the trophy drought they have endured for five seasons.
“They can’t stop us. Chiefs are a very good side. They fight hard but we fight harder so I know we are going to take the league.
“Chiefs and Pirates are playing well but we are going to win the league,” said the 20-year-old, whose side is at the zenith of the Absa Premiership with 20 points.
This season, under Mosimane, Sundowns have assembled a team of quality players, who can turn things around.
It’s the calibre of players at Sundowns that makes the man from Ghana’s Cape Coast make no bones about the fact that Sundowns players will hoist high the coveted trophy at the end of the season.
“With the quality that we have and the way we work hard, I know that by God’s grace we will take the league. We are on top and we are left with only five games for the first round. We are aiming to win all the games. Everyone is doing good. It’s very hard for the coach to select because everyone is fighting hard. We don’t give up.”
Sumaila, who usually partners Sundowns captain Alje Schut at the heart of defence, is used to pressure that comes with playing for a big team, having played for Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko before heading south.
“You have to win every game according to the fans. They don’t like a draw. When we lost it was worse. There was always pressure. They wanted to be champions always,” said the player who was named Ghana Best Defender in 2011.
At Sundowns, where trophies have been in scarce supply, expectations are also high.
After winning the Nedbank Cup in 2008, Sundowns are yet to collect another trophy.
Sumaila believes the men from Chloorkop have what it takes to win the two remaining trophies – the league and the Nedbank Cup.
“We have a lot to achieve. We need to win the league and the cup so we can be mentioned that we were once here,” said the 2011 All Africa Games gold medalist.
On Sunday, Sumaila and his teammates will square up against Moroka Swallows in a top-of-the-table clash at Loftus Versfeld.
Swallows are second on the log with 18 points and are keen to topple Mosimane’s men.
Sumaila however says Sundowns will shrug off the challenge.
“We need to fight hard to win the game. Swallows is a very good side. We have to be focused and disciplined. We need to fight hard on the pitch. It’s a must-win for us. We are top and we don’t want to drop down. We need to win and maintain our position at the top.
“Swallows have experienced attackers. We have a lot of work to do. We have been working hard. At Sundowns we work very hard for each and every game. I know with hard work and determination, we can win on Sunday.”
*Competition: Pretoria News and Mamelodi Sundowns are giving away tickets to the top-of-the-table clash between Sundowns and Moroka Swallows at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. To win call 012 321 6725 and answer a simple question between 3pm and 3.30pm today.
Pretoria News