Mosimane: We didn’t take our chances
Michaelson Gumede
Pitso Mosimane was left a disappointed man after Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw in their Caf Champions League Group C opener against defending champions Wydad Casablanca.
The Moroccans went on the back-foot in the opening five minutes after Badr Gaddarine turned the ball into his own net. Mosimane says too much interplay cost his side all three points.
“Over-elaboration, so many passes, okay, it is our style of play and we know they can never match that but I am disappointed because I know what will happen in Morocco. They will put pressure on the referee, that’s what makes me disappointed,” he said.
“We did our interplay and our No 10s were inside the box and when we do that we know anybody will struggle here, whether it is Zamalek or Esperance. That is what is disappointing because we did not seize our opportunities,” Mosimane added.
The defending champions equalised in the 20th minute after defender Tebogo Langerman did not clear the ball, believing the ball had crossed the line into touch.
“We made a very crucial mistake and without that mistake, how were they going to score? They were never there … I am not disrespecting them. We looked after the set-pieces and there were no issues. And the diagonal balls because they are quick and they use their speed but we managed to contain that,” said Mosimane.
Downs had two calls for a penalty waved away by Cameroonian referee Alioum Alioum. Even so, Mosimane insists they should have killed the game regardless.
“We can talk about the two handballs but I don’t want to go there because it doesn’t give us anything. What are you going to do? We could have scored without the two handballs, but I know that in Morocco it is a handball and a penalty, no doubt about it,” he said.
“We cannot say we took a point from the champions of Africa. The game is there on the pitch and we should have won this game. We had no excuse not to win the game – that is why I am disappointed. Not to say I am disrespecting the coach but Sundowns must seize the opportunities.”