Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star Teko Modise believes the recent clash between the two clubs was a defining moment to determine who is the boss in the Betway Premiership.
For the past two seasons, the Buccaneers have been striving to dethrone Sundowns from their dominant position in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). But the Soweto giants finished as runners-up on both attempts.
The Brazilians proved too strong as they claimed the last two league titles with commanding leads — a 16-point gap in the 2022/23 season and a staggering 23-point advantage in the following campaign.
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In the current season, Pirates started with a bang, becoming the only team to win their first seven matches and taking an early lead at the top of the table. But a pair of damaging defeats to Stellenbosch and Cape Town City saw them drop valuable points, allowing Masandwana to reclaim control of the standings.
Sundowns’ recent 4-1 victory over the Se Robbers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday stretched their lead to nine points.
Modise was clear in his assessment, stating that the match separated “boys from men,” underlining the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides at this stage of the season.
“It was one of those games to separate men from boys,” Modise said on Mamelodi Sundowns TV.
“And to show why Mamelodi Sundowns has been the most dominant team for so long. And I think it was about time as well to remind (people).
“Because you will remember how we started the season (with the changing of coaches) and the problem is when you are a team or a person that always wants to go at the top level.
“You’re always being encouraged; you’re given all this equipment and the material for you to be at the top.
“But once you’re at the top for too long everybody wants to drag you down and that was the case with Mamelodi Sundowns this season.
“And I think that’s the game that reminded everybody as to why Sundowns is Sundowns and strongly believe there should have been more goals (scored).”
The General also stated that the recent encounter has confirmed who will win the Footballer of the Season award at the end of the campaign.
While Lucas Ribeiro and Relebohile Mofokeng are among the frontrunners for the prestigious accolade, Modise believes Ribeiro has now firmly cemented his place as the standout player.
After scoring a brace and being named Man of the Match in Sundowns’ victory over Pirates, Modise revealed that the Brazilian has no serious competition in the race for the Footballer of the Season title.
“I think also it certified as to who footballer of the year is, and we all know who the footballer of the should be,” said Modise.
Ribeiro leads the league’s scoring charts with nine goals and the former Bafana Bafana star reckons that the Brazilian’s numbers are speaking for him.
“If we are cancelling the opinions we can back it up by saying the stats actually speak for themselves.”
