‘Wits no competition for Downs’

OUTSPOKEN Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane took a swipe at premiership title rivals Bidvest Wits and said Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are the only clubs he regards as competition in South Africa.

Second-placed Sundowns trail premiership leaders Wits by three points, and with three games remaining this season‚ coach Gavin Hunt’s charges appear to be within touching distance of a maiden league title. Mosimane said Sundowns should never be compared to Wits because the Brazilians have set their sights on continental and global achievements, while the Clever Boys have limited their focus to domestic accolades.

“It is very difficult for us to compete with them because they do not care about the African Champions League‚” Mosimane said.

“We compete with Pirates and Chiefs, and that’s it.”

Sundowns are the African Champions League holders and they resume the defence of their continental title against Saint George SC, of Ethiopia, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Their continental duties have been sandwiched between domestic responsibilities for the better part of the campaign, and it is for this very reason that Mosimane does not want Sundowns to be compared to Wits.

The Clever Boys crashed out in the infancy stages of the Caf Confederations Cup last month and Mosimane suggested that their exit was largely because Wits were more focused on winning the domestic league title than on putting up a strong challenge in the continental competition.