While it doesn’t match the Soweto derby for stature, the Tshwane derby between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United has, over recent years, proven better than the Kaizer Chiefs versus Orlando Pirates clash in terms of the quality of football.
Unlike the usual dreary draws produced at the FNB Stadium, clashes at either the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium or Loftus Versfeld usually dish up goals galore. Nothing less is expected when the two teams from the capital lock horns in the MTN8 quarter-final on Sunday at the home of the Blue Bulls.
A sideshow to the match will be played out on the sidelines where former Bafana Bafana coaches Pitso Mosimane and Stuart Baxter continue what has, in the last four seasons, become local football’s biggest coaching rivalry.
The two coaches have alternated winning the league title by sharing the previous four and they are again expected to be the front runners in the marathon that is the championship race.
First though they have to suss each other out in the sprint that is the MTN8. Who will come out tops? Here is a glimpse into the two coaches’ approaches to the game.
Playing philosophy:
Pitso Mosimane
There’s a massive Dutch influence on his way of playing, Mosimane's big on combination plays and nice inter-passing. But he is not afraid to go the simple way and grind out a result if the situation demands it. He believes in taking the game to the opposition, so he says let’s attack and be compact when we have to defend. He is big on counter-pressing, thus his teams will be quick to try and win possession back once they’ve lost it instead of regrouping and trying to stop the opposition. His time in continental competitions with SuperSport United has heightened his awareness of the importance of set plays and he has worked very hard to make that a big element of his game.
Stuart Baxter
He is a pragmatist who prefers to start his attacks from the defence. Baxter clearly prefers his teams to be compact first and then attack. And it is because of this approach that his teams are big on playing on transition. Upon losing the ball, he prefers his teams to go back into shape, reorganise themselves and try to impose their way on the game thereafter. Baxter is big on set-pieces, something that comes almost naturally for Europeans. He is very clear on what he needs from set plays, both in attack and defence - and many an opposition have been punished by Baxter’s team via this route.
Match preparation:
Pitso Mosimane
He is an obsessive scholar of the game who borders on the paranoia when it comes to getting information on matches. He has no less than three decoders that are almost full with recordings of matches - his team’s as well as the opposition. Often travels the country and the continent just to watch opponents. Very hands on, gets the info himself, analyses it and passes it on to his technical assistants and analysts as well as players for feedback.
Stuart Baxter
He keeps his planning simple, prefers to cover the areas of his team that he believes need working on and leaves the analysis of opponents to his technical analyst.
Player relations:
Pitso Mosimane
A local, Mosimane knows the South African player’s mentality inside out and can get his way with harshly rebuking his players, even publicly. He openly blows his top when he loses it but it is never taken out of context by the players who understand his passion for the game. He is compassionate and empathetic with his players, although he has also had some unsavoury fights with some of his ex-players. But he knows how to get them playing for him through his letting them contribute to team talks and tactical planning.
Stuart Baxter
When he first came to South Africa as Bafana Bafana coach, Baxter - like most coaches from Europe - struggled to get the psyche of the African players. That led to his failing to get the desired results. He has clearly learnt and his success with Chiefs showed that he has evolved into a players’ coach, with most of the Amakhosi players speaking very highly of him. Of course he still gets angry as every coach is wont to, but he has mastered the art of restraining himself.
Attitude towards failure:
Pitso Mosimane
He wants to win at all costs and for that reason, plus the fact that he puts so much into preparing for matches, he doesn’t handle defeat well. Often loses his cool after losses and used to blame match officials and sometimes unseen forces out to get his team.
Stuart Baxter
He hates losing, but he is very good at hiding his hurt in defeat. - The Star