Pitso still on a mission to help Sundowns come out on top
Stars 2-1 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.
The victory meant Downs regained second place – having lost it for the first time in months last week to Orlando Pirates. The Brazilians are on 51 points, Pirates on 48 and Bidvest Wits 46, all with two matches remaining.
A source at the PSL said yesterday it was highly likely South Africa would have four places allocated to them again in African competitions next year. That would mean Sundowns could still qualify for the Champions League as run- ners-up, or for the less-heralded Caf Confederation Cup by winning the Nedbank Cup, where the Brazilians meet Ajax Cape Town in the May 16 final.
Mosimane said winning a trophy would be a moralebooster for his players, having failed to defend their PSL title.
But qualifying for Africa was as important so his side can capitalise on the experience they gained in the Champions League this season.
“I would like this team to get a trophy in the Nedbank. I came here to try and contribute and change what had been happening before,” Mosimane said. “Last year we won a trophy, so to win one again this year would be good for the players’ morale, and for them to know that we have to win a trophy every year.
“What’s more important is to give ourselves an opportunity to go back to Africa. Because the Champions League really tested us – we were a bit naive and hadn’t played in it for seven years. That’s why Pirates do well – they have momentum because they know that they are doing in Africa.”
Downs bowed out at the sec- ond hurdle of this year’s Champions League, 3-2 on aggregate to DR Congolese club TP Mazembe.
Only Pirates, the 2013 Champions League finalists, remain in continental competition, with one more round to negotiate before reaching the Confed Cup group stage.
Mosimane admitted it has been hard to keep his players’ heads high during a slump – which include a record 5-0 defeat at home to Bloemfontein Celtic – that has seen Downs concede the PSL title to Kaizer Chiefs. “You can see our play is still not really convincing. The players are coming from that shock of going out in the Champions League, the shock that happened in Mbombela [with a 1-1 draw against Aces], the shock of Celtic.
“Our next two games are against SuperSport United and Pretoria University. Those games, I don’t like them because they’re both derbies. “That was why it was important to win against Stars.”
Platinum coach Cavin Johnson said the soft goals conceded by his side cost them.
Vuyo Mere was dispos- sessed running across his own area for Hlompo Kekana’s 17th-minute opener for Downs.
The Brazilians’ second came from Katlego Mashego’s free-kick, conceded by Stars inside the penalty arc.
Dikwena, in 13th on 31 points, are not quite clear of relegation danger yet. One victory from their last two games would ensure their safety.
“I don’t look to next season. For me it’s about competing, right to the end,” Johnson said.