Game Day I Mamelodi Sundowns must break Orbit College's defensive block to keep title charge alive, says Hlompho Kekana

Former captain Hlompho Kekana believes that if Mamelodi Sundowns are to keep their title charge on an upward trajectory, they will need to find a way to break down what could be a stubborn Orbit College FC defence when the two sides meet later this evening in the Betway Premiership at Olympia Park Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Brazilians remain in hot pursuit of a record-extending ninth consecutive Premiership title and are locked in a tight battle with rivals and table toppers Orlando Pirates (44 points), with the two sides currently separated only by goal difference as the season approaches its decisive stages.

With Pirates set to take on Richards Bay FC on Wednesday, the champions have an opportunity to pile pressure on the Soweto giants.

While Sundowns will face a side many expect them to beat, Kekana believes the clash will be far from straightforward, particularly against a team likely to sit deep and defend in numbers.

“It is matches like this that, when you win them, you can win the league because they are the most difficult ones,” Kekana said on the Pitchside Podcast.

“They press and put their formations next to the box and it's difficult to break people like that, but once you find the formula of breaking that block, you stand a chance of winning the match.”

Having secured a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture, Sundowns will still be wary of their opponents. Orbit currently sit second from bottom on the table, but they have shown they  can be dangerous, as evidenced by their surprise 2-1 victory away to TS Galaxy in their most recent league outing.

Given the wealth of quality within Sundowns’ ranks, Kekana added that the key will be to begin the match with sharp intensity, unsettling the hosts early and disrupting any defensive plans they may have carefully laid out.

“The best way to go about matches of this nature is to try by all means to score early and you will see how the match will pan out. Once you score early, then their plan is out the window, and then they will have to come up with a second plan that they never prepared for.”

* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch