Perfect 10 for Downs
PITSO: IN THE SAME BOX AS 2016 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Downs coach praises role that his predecessors played in securing a 10th Premiership title.
Pitso Mosimane has rated this season’s Absa Premiership crown as the most special of the five he already has in a packed Mamelodi Sundowns trophy cabinet.
He puts this down to the internal storms he weathered at Sundowns and the fact that he had to fight Kaizer Chiefs right until the last day.
On Saturday, Mosimane became the first coach to win five league titles and also led Downs to a third on the trot.
Masandawana scored three unanswered goals against Black
Leopards and thanks to Baroka FC, who held Chiefs to a 1-1 draw, Sundowns, who had not led all season, moved to the top of the table when it really mattered.
“What a title to win, we have won trophies and celebrated but this is the best I have ever won. I can put it in the same box as the (2016) Caf Champions League,” said Mosimane.
“It has been a difficult one because there has been a lot of doubt and a lot of media talk, but the yellow nation (Sundowns supporters) never gave up on us. This one is the sweetest trophy for me because there were a lot of doubters, even internally at Sundowns, but the trophy is here.
“I’m emotional about this trophy. How long did it take for my contract to be renewed? How long did I beg for my contract to say I am the right guy? – I earned it and I got it (the new deal). It has been difficult at the club for me this season, it has never been as difficult for me before. If you are strong mentally and personally, you keep things to yourself and you don’t go out and make excuses, you keep going and fight,” Mosimane added.
From the start of the season, the mandate was to secure the La Decima (10th Premiership title) and “Jingles” also thanked his predecessors, the late Ted Dumitru, who won two titles between 1997 and 1999, Gordon Igesund, who brought a single crown to Chloorkop, while Paul Dolezar and the duo of Neil Tovey and Miguel Gamondi all contributed to La Decima.
“All I wanted for Sundowns is to have a different star below the badge and I am happy to be part of that, the rest is history.
“I wanted La Decima and we must understand that I am part of it, but credit to Dumitru who started it, credit to Gordon who helped us. I found titles here and I added (to them).”