Pitso disappointed with Sundowns’ display
Pitso Mosimane was unhappy with his Mamelodi Sundowns side as they failed to make the most of home comforts on Saturday in their Caf Champions League Group C opener.
Pitso Mosimane, coach of Mamelodi Sundowns (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Ethiopian side Saint George frustrated the defending champions with a goalless draw in Atteridgeville, in a match Mosimane branded the “easiest” his side has ever played in the Champions League, despite only picking up a point.
“I am disappointed, to dominate the game does not mean anything. I have never seen a mild game like this,” said a visibly distraught Mosimane.
“I don’t know if I watched the game the right way or what, but I think that this was the easiest game ever for us in the Champions League.
“But we didn’t win it … this performance will not win us the Champions League.”
The former Bafana Bafana coach went on to question his side’s mental state in this early stage of the competition, and also discussed rotating his squad as he started with a number of his regular front-liners on the bench.
“I think we forget we are defending champions, maybe we are sluggish because it is a group and we have a chance again … Maybe it was the players’ mental tiredness, I don’t know, I will ask them,” said Mosimane.
“I thought the team that started on the pitch was good enough to win, but it did not happen like that.
“Sibusiso Vilakazi has not played for some time and we have to accept that sometimes when you rotate the team and give other players a chance to play, you need to give them a chance to catch the momentum.”
He added: “But you can’t keep playing the same team, I try to balance it.
“At the back they didn’t have to a lot to do, but up front we were not really aggressive. This team is not strong enough for us. But what is the point to say it is not strong and … not win?”
