I never thought we would win, says Pitso Mosimane

Published Feb 22, 2017

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Rustenburg – Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane admitted that he was prepared to return with a point from Phokeng against Platinum Stars who are the Brazilians’ bogey team. But the club surpassed Mosimane’s expectations, taking all three points in a rain-filled 2-1 win over Dikwena at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Tuesday. That victory puts Sundowns four points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs with five game in hand.

“You want the truth? I never thought that we can win this game,” Mosimane said. “I thought that we should at least try to get a point here because I could see that the action was more on Dennis (Onyango’s) goal with a lot of set-pieces (in the second half). Anything could have happened because the pitch was slippery. 

"The ball could have taken an awkward bounce and skid away from you. Anything is possible in weather like that. Thankfully we managed to get a goal late in the match to get the three points. We had a chance to seal the game in the first half but we didn’t do that.”

The conditions took a toll on Sundowns. Anele Ngcongca only played the first half because of a groin injury while Anthony Laffor also limped off the pitch in the second half.

“Anele suffered from the conditions,” Mosimane said. “He slipped and he pulled a groin. I said he must go out quickly because I will need him for the next match (against Bidvest Wits). It looks like I have lost him though. But we will see how it goes. Anthony’s situation isn’t that serious.”

That clash against Wits will see, what coach Gavin Hunt calls a false league, start to look real. The No. 1 spot has spot has been like a game of musical chairs, constantly changing ownership.

“What is the guarantee that the people on top will remain there? There are positions up for grabs there at the top,” Mosimane said. “No. 1 has been changed between SuperSport United, Wits, Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs. As the coaches have said, it’s a false league. Let it be real and then we can start talking. Sundowns has to do what they need to do. The next match is very important to win. But we don’t have to win it. We just don’t have to lose it either.”

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