Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane was full of praise for the Brazilians after playing in an entertaining Tshwane Derby against SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Sundowns showed great character to come from behind, control the match and get a point that ensured they keep their place at the top of the log with eight matches to go in the Absa Premiership.
“I think that the game rose to the occasion,” Mosimane said. “The Tshwane Derby is the Tshwane Derby. For me it is the biggest in South Africa. On the pitch it is the biggest derby with the football that’s played. On the stands, it’s not the biggest derby because the stadium isn’t consistently packed. You must also understand how old SuperSport and Sundowns are. We don’t have that tradition of 1970, 1969 or whatever to build up this derby. I think that the Tshwane people must come and watch the Tshwane Derby.
“It’s a good game. I am not unhappy with the results. I think that SuperSport played well, they had their chances. They played the way they played which would have guaranteed them a point, a smash and grab…I think that my team was very good. I think that my team gives you value for your money as a supporter who spends their money to come here. I am yet to see a team that can play football like this.”
This month the Brazilians will compete in three competitions. They take on AmaZulu in Durban in the Absa Premiership before travelling to Rwanda to face Rayon Sports in the Caf Champions League first round and then square off with EC Bees in the Nedbank Cup. This hectic schedule is nothing new for the 2016 Champions League winners and first South African team to play in the Fifa Club World Cup. But to perform at your best in all these competitions requires good management of the players.
“We have been resting the Bafana Bafana players because they have a lot of mileage in their legs,” Mosimane said. “We need them fresh which is why we kept Themba Zwane, Hlompho Kekana and Sibusiso Vilakazi out for some time. When you see them coming like this, with energy and fresh it shows that we did the right thing. This is the Vila I know. I have never seen him play like this, carrying the team on his shoulder. I am happy to see them come back fresh because we have a different campaign.”
