Chiefs or Pirates? Sales names team Sundowns fear most

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Arthur Sales has termed Orlando Pirates as the only club who are capable of competing with them in South Africa.

While Kaizer Chiefs also have title ambitions and consider themselves big enough, Sales feels only the Buccaneers have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with them.

Speaking ahead of the two team’s MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, the Brazilian forward lauded Pirates for closing the gap.

“I think the tough games in South Africa are against Pirates,” Sales told the media as quoted by Soccer Laduma.

Arthur Sales lauds Pirates for closing gap

“Many years we stay close (in the league). We compete (for) cups and league. I think it’s the most big game for us in South Africa,” he added.

“Of course, it’s a big game. Two big clubs in one final. It’s different to play Sundowns and Pirates in a league game. Now it’s a final. I am feeling happy to play this kind of game. I prefer to play this final than on a Wednesday, travel to a small stadium. I prefer more these games for the level.”

Pirates finally closed the gap last season when they ended Sundowns’ eight-year run as Premier Soccer League champions by lifting the title after a 14-year wait and also won the MTN8 and Carling Knockout.

Sundowns forward keen on MTN8 glory

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side have started this season in great fashion as they sit just one point behind Sundowns in the league and with a game in hand. They also made it to the final of the MTN8 for a record fifth straight year, showing how strong they are.

Sales, who has missed the start of the season due to injury, admits the Soweto giants are a formidable force but has belief in his team ending their own four-year wait for an MTN8 crown.

“When the year started, the coach said ‘I want to fight for this cup’ because already [Miguel] Cardoso has not won this one. We see a lot of people talking about this game. Our answer for this one is we want this cup,” Sales said confidently.