Sundowns not a big team – Mathebula

MOROKA Swallows’ David Mathebula on Thursday fired a cheeky broadside at Mamelodi Sundowns, challenging their status as a “big team”.

Sundowns travel to face the Birds in the Telkom Knockout last 16 on Saturday night, still in search of a first piece of silverware since capturing the 2007/8 Absa Premiership title.

It is not a good return for a side with such abundant resources as the Brazilians.

“I don’t know how people identify big teams, because big teams win things, and they (Sundowns) haven’t won a cup in four years,” said Mathebula.

“I mean, for now SuperSport are a big team – they won the league three times in a row. TP Mazembe went and played in the World Club Championships .... those are big teams.”

Such fighting talk could yet backfire on Saturday at Dobsonville Stadium, but Mathebula is confident that Swallows, who have made an excellent start to the season, can knock out their wealthier opponents.

“It is a cup game, you get no second chance. I believe we can win,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs man.

Sundowns have to start as slight favourites, especially having emphatically beaten Swallows 4-0 in a league game on August 24.

All parties, however, agree that the scoreline flattered the Brazilians.

“The result did not reflect the 90 minutes,” said Brazilians coach Johan Neeskens yesterday.

“They had three unbelievably good chances to go ahead.”

Siyabonga Nomvethe was perhaps the main culprit that evening, but has since turned his game around to the extent that he has netted four goals in his last three games for the Birds.

“That shows his (Nom vethe’s) experience,” said Ma-thebula. “He doesn’t say he missed a few chances and moan about it. He picks himself up and fights back and scores goals.”

Mathebula and Nomvethe, as well as captain Lefa Tsutsulupa, MacBeth Sibaya and winger Joseph Makhanya give Swallows an experienced core that is helping them excel in the new campaign.

“It does help to have the experience,” said Mathebula.

“We also have good youngsters. It’s a balanced team.”

Swallows will be missing Sibaya through suspension tomorrow, while coach Gordon Igesund said that winger Bennet Chenene had failed a late fitness test.

“It’s a cup competition, you win three games and you are in a cup final,” added Igesund.

“It’s a great opportunity to get silverware.

“We are no different to any other team, we want to do well, although we have tough opponents in Sundowns.”