By Farouk Abrahams
Striker Jean-Marc Ithier's mood is the key to victory when Santos tackle defending Premier Soccer League champions Sundowns in Friday night's double-header at Green Point (kick-off 8 pm).
According to Santos assistant coach Boebie Solomons, the brilliant Mauritian forward was not happy with last week's haul of two goals in two games. Solomons said Ithier, always the professional, was miserable due to the many chances that went abegging off his boots in recent outings.
Ithier has promised to put this right on Friday night and this alone spells danger to the star-studded "Brazilians".
"It's a good sign when a striker who scored in successive outings, still saw fit to brood over the ones he missed. Ithier was very moody throughout the week. He is a perfectionist and spent a lot of time on his finishing. For him, scoring goals was all that mattered. I think the Sundowns defence are going to have their hands full tonight," Solomons said.
Ithier can't do it all on his own, but he can certainly bank on support in the outstanding service usually emanating from his midfield general, Vincent Sokhela. Sundowns will counter this threat with the brilliant Cameroonian Roger Feutmba, and the fans can certainly look forward to a fierce battle for midfield supremacy. Solomons agreed that Sokhela was one of the main reasons that Santos were such a force to be reckoned with in this campaign.
"Ithier and fellow striker Abram Raselemane could not ask for more accurate service from the midfield. Sokhela has been instrumental in the fluency of our attack. He is such an underrated player, but always delivers the goods when needed. His duels with Feutmba could decide the outcome of this one.
"I have no doubts that Sokhela would come up trumps, because he is more versatile and a lot more mobile. Feutmba relies mostly on his left foot and does not cover as wide an area as our man. We also have John Mbidzo and Sebastien Bax in great form alongside Sokhela," said Solomons.
The visitors have a score to settle as they were narrow 2-1 losers to Santos in a first round encounter that was marred by scuffles between officials and players of both sides after the final whistle. However, revenge aside, Sundowns have to win if they are to push PSL title favourites Orlando Pirates all the way.
But Solomons says his side are in no mood to be charitable and need the points to consolidate their top four position.
"It took us a while to get back to winning ways. This is not about doing Pirates a favour, but more about achieving what we have set out to. A win tonight would also boost our confidence ahead of the upcoming BobSave Superbowl quarterfinals."
Sundowns' prolific scorer and captain, Dan Madau, is injured but they still remain spoilt for choice in the striker department. Nigerian star forward Raphael Chukwu is likely to be partnered by either Carlo Scott or Alton Meiring, both former Capetonians, who'll be eager for a triumphant return to the Mother City.
Meanwhile, caretaker-coach Mark Byrne leads a depleted Hellenic side into battle against a desperate Moroka Swallows in the early game (kick-off 6pm). Byrne said that although his charges were not at full strength, they were out to give it their best shot. "The boys will have to wear their hearts on their sleeves. We are a professional outfit and whoever takes the field must be prepared to die for the cause."
Friday night's fixture could be labelled a relegation dogfight as both teams, although illustrious names, are not yet safe from the dreaded drop into first division obscurity.
And while Byrne laments his player crisis, Swallows coach Viktor Bondarenko comes to town with a strong outfit, albeit one yet to play to its true potential. Up front the Russian born coach has a dangerous duo in Kenny Niemach and the recently signed Marc Batchelor. Hellenic's backline, recently boosted by the return from a long injury of Shaheem Bobbs, have their work cut out to stop this experienced pair from wreaking havoc.
"I know it won't be easy because Swallows are a good side and as desperate for the points. But it is eleven against eleven and on the day it could boil down to who wants it the most, not necessarily who boasts the stronger line-up," said Byrne.