Da Gama criticised for impact of selection policy on PSL games
MAMELODI Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has criticised caretaker Bafana Bafana coach Owen da Gama for both his selection policy and his training methods as the fallout of the international week hit the Brazilians hard on Saturday.
He accused Da Gama of run- ning his training like a military barracks and questioned why Sundowns’ Tebogo Langerman was the only left-back called up for the two friendly internationals against Guinea Bissau in Durban and Angola in East London.
“He drilled them‚” Mosimane said after Sundowns started without Langerman in their key Premier Soccer League clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night.
“I suppose as Bafana coach he wants to do it his own way and we then have to manage the fallout. We are the ones who suffer when the players come back with fatigue.”
Mosimane said he did not field Langerman in the starting lineup because the left-back had played in both Bafana Bafana internationals and could not be expected to play “a third match inside one week”.
He also said he was left dumbfounded by why Langerman was the only left-back in the 25-man Bafana squad‚ which compelled Da Gama to play him in both internationals.
Da Gama called up seven de- fenders; right-sided Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Diamond Thopola, and central defenders Rivaldo Coetzee‚ Lorenzo Gordinho‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo and Mulomowandau Mathoho.
Mosimane had been questioned why Fares Haichi had started the game against Chiefs instead of Langerman.
The Algerian had a horror out- ing‚ including several turnovers of possession under pressure that questioned the new signing’s competency at the top level of the South African game despite previously glowing reviews from Mosimane.
Haichi was eventually taken off and replaced by Langerman after 64 minutes. – TMG Digital/TMG Sport