Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns: Marcelo Allende shifts focus to 'blockbuster' title clash

Marcelo Allende, Mamelodi Sundowns' talented Chilean playmaker, has quickly shifted his focus from Saturday's CAF Champions League victory over MC Alger to the blockbuster Betway Premiership clash against rivals Orlando Pirates on Wednesday (kick-off 7.30pm).

Allende was at the heart of his side's conquest after making a massive impact as a substitute for Tashreeq Matthews in the 61st minute. Although Sundowns had bossed proceedings up to that point, Allende's arrival allowed them to play with far greater freedom, and it seemed MC Alger had no counter to offer at that stage of the game.

Allende is focused on Wednesday's game and hopes to secure a victory over the Pirates, who are serious title challengers. Sundowns secured their eighth consecutive South African top-flight league title last season, but this season, Pirates — after 16 games — have opened a six-point lead over the Brazilians, who have played one game fewer.

"Now we wait for the next opponent. Winning at home with our people is special, and we want to keep doing that for our supporters, our families, and the club," said Allende.

"It's going to be a nice game, a big one also, very important for the league. We want to win everything. We want to win all the cups and the league.

"Now it's time to enjoy this victory and start to prepare for the next game on Wednesday. I think we deserved the qualification, and I'm very happy for the team and all the players."

One of the players Allende singled out was Brayan León, the Colombian who scored both of Sundowns' goals. León is growing in stature with every game and is starting to look like a match-winner in the same mould as the Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro, who sensationally transferred as a free agent to Spanish club CyD Leonesa while still under contract at Sundowns.

"I'm so happy for him," said Allende.

"The adaptation is going very well. He has scored many goals in five or six games, which shows his quality. He needs to keep going, stay healthy, and he can help us a lot."

Wednesday's game is a home fixture for Pirates, but it takes place at FNB Stadium, the home of Kaizer Chiefs. There has been so much interest in the game that the Pirates have forfeited home-ground advantage, but with a capacity crowd expected,

* Herman Gibbs is a veteran sports journalist with five decades of experience in the field. He is a former Sports Editor of the Daily Voice, and is currently a senior sports contributor for Independent Media.