Sundowns won’t let it slide – Pitso
Pitso Mosimane is confident Mamelodi Sundowns' blip against Bidvest Wits will not turn into a slide that ruins their title chances.
Pitso Mosimane, coach of Mamelodi Sundowns (Samuel Shivambu/Backpagepix)
Mosimane said this as the Brazilians prepare to take on Platinum Stars in the Absa Premiership at Loftus Versveld this evening.
The loss to the Clever Boys on Monday followed five consecutive victories for Mosimane’s team, that had hurtled them into pole position in the race for the championship.
The defeat to Wits, however, has put them a point adrift of Gavin Hunt’s men, with both sides left with five games to play.
Sundowns went on a run of five league games without a win in March and early April, defeats to Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs denting their challenge, before the recent recovery.
“This one was a different game,” said Mosimane after the Wits defeat, however, before making a rather disparaging comment about Wits’ physical style of play.
“Have you been to Stoke? This is what happens in Stoke. This is a game of its own … I budget to lose this one in a year.”
The Sundowns coach, meanwhile, hinted that the title race could go all the way to the final day of the season, dismissing a suggestion that Orlando Pirates could have a serious say in the race, as they play Wits tonight and then Sundowns on Sunday.
“We are not in a position to ask for favours, maybe in the last three games, you never know how things are going to go, maybe they will go to the end.
“We have Highlands Park, and they (Wits) have Chiefs (on the final day).
“You don’t want to get emotional, you want to try and win your games, you never know. I have the goal difference (Sundowns’ goal difference is +30 to Wits’ +24). Goal difference is also very important.”
Sundowns will be without Algerian left back Fares Hachi against Stars, following his red card against Wits.
