Tuesday, 24th April 2007 at 5:54 pm

Sundowns double still on

Hopes of a triple may be over following the Champions League defeat to Egypt’s Al Ahly, but the domestic double is still very much on the cards for Sundowns. Patrice’s Motsepe’s millionaire footballers have already sealed a second successive league title, and now have the Absa Cup in sight, with a place in the semifinals secured. But it could yet get interesting for The Brazilians…

First up, Sundowns have to negotiate a tricky semifinal with Silver Stars, who’ll revel in their underdog status, and do their level best to upset the rhythm of the side playing the most fluid football in the country at the moment. And if Sundowns do win through to the final, coach Gordon Igesund will face one of the two Cape Town sides he coached before arriving at Sundowns.

Ajax Cape Town have had a strong season, challenging for the title for a brief period, and pulling off some impressive results for a young team with a new coach (former Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral, the furious Turk). Ajax have a derby date with Santos - a repeat of the 2003 final - and Roger de Sa’s team, while largely indifferent in the league, have a strong Cup record they’ll be keen to defend.

Either way, Igesund will face a former club brimming with vengeful intent - he walked out of Santos to join Ajax mid-contract, and then left Ajax in unhappy circumstances. Since then he’s run Sundowns with the masterful touch of a man who’s now led four different teams to the league title; but while his team are firm favourites to win the Absa Cup and complete the double, two very tricky hurdles await before a second round of celebrations for the season.