Pitso conceded Sundowns’ title race defeat at half-time
Pitso Mosimane has revealed he had already accepted second position at half-time.
Pitso Mosimane coach of Mamelodi Sundowns (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns were already trailing Maritzburg United by a goal to nil at the break in Atteridgeville, whilst in Braamfontein, Bidvest Wits were also in the lead against Polokwane City.
“I told them at half-time that no matter what, just try and fight for the second position,” said Mosimane.
A third consecutive two-all league draw at home for Sundowns laid to rest their chances of defending the Absa Premiership as the can only finish on 59 points. Bafana Ba Style dropped points in draws against Platinum Stars and Baroka FC.
A runners-up finish for Downs, is however, not guaranteed.
The mathematics is not complicated; Cape Town City are a point behind Sundowns. If Masandawana draw or lose their last game away to relegation threatened Highlands Park on the season finale, and City win theirs at Polokwane City, the out-going PSL champions could see themselves finishing in third place, thereby missing out on the Caf Champions League spot.
“It is important that the team must go to the Champions League for the third year in a row,” stressed Mosimane.
“But it very important that we must congratulate Fadlu Davids, he is one of the up and coming good coaches, it is very difficult to break down his team,” he added.
‘Jingles’ said if it happens that they find themselves in the same heavy schedule next season, his side will only prioritize the league and Champions League.
“Maybe next season we must leave the local cups and focus on the league and the Champions League. The Nedbank, the Telkom Knockout … those things don’t help.
“Remember when we were playing Maritzburg in Pietermaritzburg, I had to play Samuel Julies and everyone there because I had a semifinal game in the Champions League against the mighty Zesco United.
“So those do happen and you’ve got to accept. Maybe the Telkom and all these things, maybe give them to the Multichoice Diski Challenge team,” said Mosimane.
