Pitso’s expecting a much tougher time
Michaelson Gumede
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is doubtful if he will be able to help the Tshwane giants successfully defend their Absa Premiership title next season. Mosimane has won three league titles at the club since taking over, but has failed to retain any of them. This time he has downplayed chances of a successful league title defence even before the new season starts.
“I don’t know what Sundowns are like. Sundowns always lose something and we come back and we win it again. Even in the Caf Champions League ... I don’t know if it is a pattern or what,” he said after being announced as Coach-of-the-Season this week.
“If my scorpions (informers) tell me the way it is going to be this year, the league is again going to be on the edge. We are playing Champions League and we are going to give a lot to it and in December the Champions League starts again and must finish next May,” said Mosimane.
“So where do you really give focus? It is either you focus on the league and the Champions League and forget other cups. But would I say I don’t want the MTN8 which I have not won at Sundowns?” he added.
After Micho Sredojevic rejuvenated Orlando Pirates, who bounced back with a runners-up finish in the league, Mosimane reckons the competition for the title will be very intense in the upcoming campaign.
“We never know how it is going to be, but it is going to be tough. Not only for us but also for Pirates because they are going to be playing in the Champions League too,” he said.
The coach continued: “The Africa Cup of Nations is coming up next year. I have everybody going to that. From Denis Onyango; Kennedy Mweene to Anthony Laffor ... I don’t want to talk about our own players. It is really tough but we will see how it goes.”