Mark Fish challenges Mamelodi Sundowns to win another continental title

After a nearly two-month break due to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the DStv Premiership returns this Friday with Sundowns hosting Pirates at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane.

The Brazilians are at the summit of the Premiership table with 28 points from 12 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Richards Bay and with a game in hand.

With Downs currently the favourites to defend their title for a sixth season in succession, Fish has challenged coach Rulani Mokwena and his charges to add a second star to their jersey.

The Tshwane giants last won the Champions League title in 2016, under then-coach Pitso Mosimane with Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi as assistants, before going on to dominate the domestic scene.

The 48-year-old refused to label the PSL as a one-team league and insisted that Sundowns should be gauged on the continent against the big boys, rather than in the PSL.

“You know what Sundowns do and how they buy players, it concerns me and the rest of the football fans in the country because things like that are allowed to happen in the league, but the PSL is not a former’s league,” said Fish.

“I don’t think so. We cannot gauge a team because they win the PSL title year in and year out. Look at [Manchester] City, they win the English Premiership title almost every year but do they win the UEFA Champions League? No.

“If Sundowns win another league title, well done to them, but will they win the CAF Champions League? Probably not. African countries are starting to put money into their teams. Petro de Luanda of Angola knocked Sundowns out of the Champions League last season. Sundowns can win the league as many times as they want. Do they win on the continent? No.”

According to Fish, a 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Sundowns should focus all their energy on winning the Champions League and not worry about the Premiership title.

“Richards Bay and SuperSport [United] did well before the break, but I do not think much will change after the break. Sundowns will probably go on to win the PSL title, and other teams will try to challenge them,” he added.

“The Nedbank Cup is good for the other teams. Forget about the league title, it's gone.”

You can watch Friday’s league encounter between the Brazilians and the Buccaneers LIVE on SABC 1, with build-up from 14:30.

By Charles Baloyi