Mosimane staying with Sundowns
Coach Pitso signs new deal to remain with Brazilians until 2024
“I’VE worked for it!” Those were the words of Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane after finally putting speculation around his future at the club to rest by signing a new fouryear deal that will see him at the helm at least until 2024.
During a press conference at the club’s Sandton offices yesterday, club president Patrice Motsepe addressed the elephant in the room, saying they were delighted to renew the contract of their longest-serving coach by another four years.
“I am very happy that the board of Mamelodi Sundowns has decided to renew the employment of our very own ‘Sir Alex Ferguson’,” Motsepe said.
“I am very proud of Pitso’s achievements at Sundowns. I am also confident that Pitso, the technical team and players will make Sundowns one of the best football clubs in Africa.”
Mosimane has enjoyed an incredible seven and a half-year stint with Sundowns since taking over the reins from Dutchman Johan Neeskens, who had left the club languishing in the bottom half of the Premiership standings.
During his reign, not only has Mosimane brought a breath of fresh air to the club but he has instilled a winning philosophy that has delivered nine titles – four league titles, the CAF Champions League crown, the CAF Super Cup, two Telkom Knockout trophies and the Nedbank Cup.
“You must remember that if you don’t win, you are not going to last, make no mistake,” Mosimane said.
“I am here because we’ve won trophies here. This is not a favour (that was done). I am here because we’ve achieved results – if they were not good, I’d not be here.”
But it’s not just about silverware as he’s polished raw diamonds into renowned footballers who have gone on to ply their trade in the biggest leagues around the world.
During his stint with the club, Mosimane bought Keagan Dolly and Bongani Zungu from Ajax Cape Town and University of Pretoria respectively, and such was their growth and maturity under his wing that the duo landed long-term contracts with French Ligue 1 clubs Montpellier and Amiens after they left the Brazilians.
Mosimane’s greatest export is Percy Tau, though. Groomed by the club’s academy coaches, Tau joined English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion two seasons ago for a reported R50 million, having bagged the PSL Footballer of the Season award the season before.
However, due to permit issues, Tau was loaned out to Belgian First Division side Royale Union SaintGilloise, where he was crowned the league’s Player of the Year, and Belgian giants Club Brugge, where he recently won the Pro League.
And Mosimane reckons he’s earned his stripes at Sundowns.
“The president spoke about being respected, and I think I’ve been respected on the contract. I am not complaining. The compensation is also on the level of a coach on the continent. I feel good. But you must know that I’ve worked for it! I’ve laboured,” he said.
Sundowns are second on the
PSL log with 44 points, four behind Kaizer Chiefs with a game in hand.