Pitso’s headache as ‘CBD’ is dismantled
Deadly combo has collapsed
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has been hard at work experimenting with a new combination that will be the chief catalyst for the team with the “CBD” having been dismembered.
The attacking trio of Leonardo Castro, Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly, collectively referred to as the CBD, is no more after having provided the inspiration to power the team to the 2015/16 Absa Premiership title.
The Brazilians’ new line-up will be on display when they open their Premiership campaign against SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow.
The collapse of the CBD officially began when Dolly left Sundowns to join French outfit Montpellier during the January transfer window.
This week, Mosimane revealed that he was preparing for a future without Billiat after negotiations for a contract extension hit a dead-end, while Castro is back home after informing the club he wants to be by his wife’s side for the birth of his child.
“Castro is in Colombia. His wife is about to give birth. He feels he wants to be there with his family. And you have to respect that,” Mosimane said.
“He [Ca stro] is still our player but what am I going to do when he says he puts his family before football. I have to accept. I can’t force him to leave his wife to come to football.
“Castro was our marksman the year before last. But the CBD has been dismantled as you can see. And that has really taken us back. When the CBD was not functioning it was not easy to find a combination.”
Sundowns have not given up their pursuit of striker Jeremy Brockie, but they are having a hard time persuading SuperSport United to let go of their most highly prized asset.
New signings George Lebese and Oupa Manyisa will give the Sundowns technical team the option to try new formations, potentially alongside favourites Percy Tau, Themba Zwane and Sibusiso Vilakazi.
“It’s important not to jump the gun too early but I think the way they [Manyisa and Lebese] played they showed that they fit in well.
“I think there is only one piece [a striker] left on the jigsaw puzzle just to complete.”
‘ ‘ I can’t force Castro to leave wife to come to football