All sunshine and roses for Mosimane

Now that the dark cloud hovering over Pitso Mosimane from an unruly section of Mamelodi Sundowns fans has passed, the coach is happy to see the sunshine back in the Brazilians’ camp.

Since that mob stormed behind Mosimane’s dugout – carrying placards with messages that they were there to fire him as they sang songs calling for his head in the 3-2 win over Ajax Cape Town – the Brazilians have had back-to-back victories over Jomo Cosmos in the Absa Premiership and Chippa United in the Telkom Knockout.

The win over the Chilli Boys helped Sundows advance to the Telkom Knockout last-eight where they will visit Free State Stars in Goble Park later this month. The team have also muscled their way into the top eight in the Absa Premiership, where they are four points adrift of pacesetters Mpumalanga Black Aces.

“The players feel much better now,” Mosimane said. “They feel good. They feel like they can win. They try to score. They are creating many chances. When the supporters are singing and behind us, they become less anxious. They take a little bit of risks, they try things.”

Mosimane will once again have a large contingency of his players on international duty this weekend. He will hold thumbs that they don’t come back with knocks like they did in the last Fifa break.

“We have 14 players out, and you know when you have an international break, that’s how we lost to Golden Arrows and Mpumalanga Black Aces,” Mosimane said.

“Anthony Laffor and Khama Billiat came back from the last break injured while Kennedy Mweene is travelling the world. In some cases they come back just before the match because of connecting fl ights. The advantage is the experience they bring.”