Downs assessing options for Nedbank Cup final

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi insists that the Brazilians are still targeting maximum points in their remaining three DStv Premiership fixtures.

Downs™s 71-points haul during the 2015/16 season under then coach Pitso Mosimane remains a topflight record in the Premier Soccer League era.

The record is set to remain intact for another campaign as Mngqithi™s side will still be one point short even if they win all their games.

Regardless, the Sundowns mentor says they have a clear objective.

"Our focus as Sundowns is mainly on process and our process is the one that divides the league into six cycles of five matches each.

"It™s always important because if we don™t do very well in this last cycle we would have to account to that next season when we are looking at how the season went wrong, so it™s very important that we still continue to try and achieve the number of points we wanted to achieve in each of the cycles and that is probably the main driving force " said Mangqithi

Mngqithi says their league encounters against Kaizer Chiefs, this Sunday, as well as Stellenbosch and Royal AM later will help the technical team pick the best team for the upcoming Nedbank Cup final against Marumo Gallants on 28th May at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

"On top of that now we also have another responsibility to make sure that we use these match as preparations matches for the final, maybe to see people who are raising their hands and telling us that maybe they also deserve the opportunity to be part of that final" Mnggithi added

Downs, who are chasing a domestic treble after winning the MTN8 and league title already, were without 13 players against Sekhukhune.

Pule Maraisane also made his official debut for Sundowns on Tuesday night, and Mngqithi says he was satisfied with the winger™s cameo.

By Mazola Molefe