The Brazilians have won six of their seven league games, losing only to other hot league favourates Orlando Pirates. In the process they have scored eleven goals, making them the second highest scoring team behind Bidvest Wits, conceding only three goals, second to Kaizer chiefs who so far have let in only two goals.
For Sundowns supporters it is a breath of fresh air to see their team sitting pretty on top of the log with a four points lead, the hopes are high that the team might finally deliver the elusive Absa Premiership title.
Last season they came so close but it was not be. Sundowns will be naive to relax at this point though, the league race is indeed not a sprint, it is a marathon, and like the famous Comrades marathon-it requires the highest level of endurance, perseverance, guts, determination as well as a bit of luck. It will be interesting to see how much Sundowns have in them come mid-season when the pressure starts mounting.
Teams like on-form Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will definitely put Sundowns under tremendous pressure. They are strong contenders for the league and they have made their intentions clear on the field of play, don't forget dark horses the Ajax Cape Town and defending champions SuperSport United who cannot be counted out just yet.
After years of consistent investment in his team, Patrice Motsepe will want nothing more than to win the league title this season, the team has the players and the depth to accomplish that, they are basically the Chelsea of South African football and they need to start earning the respect they so lack these days.
Antonio Lopez has the opportunity to become a hero at Sundowns, a coach who finally brought joy to the Brazilians faithful, it is still a long way to go, but it is possible if he can get his troops to keep their nerve and keep on producing the goods.
Until than, the question will remain, can Sundowns go all the way and lift the Absa Premiership trophy?
By Siphiwe Hlongwane
