Pitso lauds Chippa after stalemate

MAMELODI Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was full of praise for Chippa United after the teams played to a goalless Absa Premiership draw at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

The former African Champions needed to be at their best with the Chilli Boys producing enterprising, attractive play. And when on attack Sundowns were thwarted by some solid defensive work by the home team.

“We could have had a better outcome today but Chippa were well prepared,” said Mosimane.

“It was not easy at all against Chippa United because they kept pushing from the onset of the game”

“We also fought and gave it our all but in the end we could not break their defence.”

“We had a game last week Tuesday and some of the guys didn’t have the legs to carry out a good performance in this match hence us having had to replace Kama Billiat in the second half.

“We brought on three attackers because we really wanted a win but Chippa United had locked all avenues. Chippa fought a good fight, they held their ground.”

“I think coach Teboho Moloi is doing a good job and this is his time to shine,” he said.

Mosimane said his team were starting to feel the pressure of having to push for number one spot on the log.

Moloi said his team will be looking to carry out the good rhythm when they host Kaizer Chiefs on December 12.

Despite a number of missed chances, the Chilli Boys were good value for money.

“This was a great spectacle to watch,” Moloi said. “I am happy that my boys could match the level of skill Sundowns has.”

“If this is the way we are going to perform going forward, then teams will come here and go home with nothing.”

“I am okay with a point this time around even though I would have liked to walk away with three points against a big team.”

“Sundowns played a totally different game from the Telkom Knockout Cup match.”

“It is evident that playing with other African sides has helped them grow and mature.” “Had we had the same amount of experience that Sundowns has, we would have surely buried all the chances we had.”

Chippa have two more home games before the Christmas break and Moloi said he was targeting the top three spot on the log.

“If I had a magic wand I would have liked to win against Sundowns and win in our next game against Kaizer Chiefs as well and end up in the third position for the first half,” Moloi said.

“Unfortunately, we have to prepare one game at a time. I look at my opponents as they come. Targets are merely there to set goals for ourselves but if we do not achieve those targets we end up [putting ]the team under pressure, which is something we do not want to do.”