Sundowns lose ground on Chiefs
"We survived a bit, but it's okay, it's a good point, we'll take a point. We're playing Orlando Pirates remember."
Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw against Orlando Pirates at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Pretoria club was playing their second consecutive game since the resumption of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Their first fixture was a 3-2 win over Bidvest Wits in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup over the weekend.
On Tuesday, the focus shifted to the Absa Premiership as Downs were looking to catch up to log leaders Kaizer Chiefs. A win for the Brazilians would have seen them one point behind Chiefs with eight matches remaining.
Following an uninspiring draw, Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was content.
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Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, the 56-year-old mentor said his team created few chances in the game to trouble the resolute Pirates defence which gave Downs little chance especially in the second half.
“Yes, a game of two halves for us, we were much better in the first-half, second-half we have to give it to Orlando Pirates, let’s be honest and they missed two chances to be honest. Okay, we had one but not really convincing.
“The second-half they took it, you could see they were much stronger, much fresher than us in the second-half. We survived a bit, but it’s okay, it’s a good point, we’ll take a point. We’re playing Orlando Pirates remember,” he said.
Following their Saturday’s win against Wits, Mosimane said changes needed to be made to strengthen the midfield.
“We put Ali Meza there to put more fresh legs, I think Keletso (Makgalwa) ran enough, ‘Mshishi’ also, we put Andile (Jali) to help us in midfield because we could see that they were going through, to make sure that we strengthen the midfield because we had a problem there,” he said after the match.
“They were going through, and I played a three-man midfield but it’s football, we’re going for the long haul, it’s a good point, don’t undermine a point against Orlando Pirates. It’s a big point, two tough games, Wits and Orlando Pirates. Yes, not bad. It’s still a long haul, we’re still going,” Mosimane concluded.
Sundowns now sit on second position on the log, three points behind Chiefs.
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