The Citizen (KZN)

Tau: Pitso is demanding

- Michaelson Gumede

Percy Tau (above) says Pitso Mosimane’s nature gives Mamelodi Sundowns the incentive to improve their performanc­e every time.

“The coach wants so much and hopefully we can do better. He keeps us on our toes and makes us feel like we have not achieved anything yet,” said Tau.

The Bafana Bafana internatio­nal admits the Brazilians are under pressure to do well in this season’s Caf Champions League following their maiden triumph in 2016 and reaching the quarterfin­als last year where they were sent packing by eventual champions Wydad Casablanca.

If they are to get anywhere close to the feat they archived in 2016, Masandawan­a will need to defeat Rwandan side Rayon Sport tomorrow at Lucas Moripe Stadium in order to advance to the group stages of the competitio­n as they were held to a goalless draw in the first leg in Kigali.

“Pressure is always there and we enjoy that because it makes us enjoy playing the game. What would be football without pressure? In terms of the records, it always gives us the edge to say we need to better what we did previously.

“The pressure we have now is to be better than we were when we lost to Raja Casablanca in the quarterfin­als. We really don’t want to lose again,” Tau said.

Last season, Downs were a formidable side on their travels around the continent, while they were not as impressive when playing at home. Contrary to that, the Chloorkop campaigner­s made Lucas Moripe Stadium a fortress when they won it in 2016. Tau wants to see his side returning to that particular form.

“It is always difficult to play at home,” he said. “But as long as we don’t lose away we always have an urge to win at home.”

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