Pitso left to rue missed chances

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 17: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane during the Absa Premiership match between Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns at Cape Town Stadium on September 17, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 17: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane during the Absa Premiership match between Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns at Cape Town Stadium on September 17, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Published Mar 2, 2014

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Johannesburg – Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane blamed missed chances and injuries for his side's 3-1 loss to Bidvest Wits on Saturday night.

The loss meant Sundowns failed to take advantage of their game in hand to trim down Kaizer Chiefs' lead at the top of the table.

The Clever Boys came from a goal down to beat the Brazilians.

“They got their chances and utilised them, we didn't,” Mosimane said after the match.

“I think we created enough chances to score two more goals had we been more clinical. Especially in the first half, the first 15

minutes belonged to us but we failed to wrap up the game.”

However Mosimane believed it was just not his team's day and also expressed his disappointment in his players' lack of character despite the talent he had at his disposal.

“I am reeling on the players that am missing. We have a lot of players that could have won us this match but it was tough one.

“It was the kind of game that we could have played until tomorrow, we were just not ready to put the ball into the back of the net.

“Ramagalela's goal, I will have to check the video but from what I saw that was not offside. It doesn't matter though because even if we scored that one it wouldn't have helped because we were just not there.”

Wits coach Gavin Hunt concurred with Mosimane about the balance of power in the match's opening quarter but said his tactical shift worked the magic.

“We were sloppy in the beginning and looked off the pace but after a change of shape in the opening 10-15 minutes we looked a little bit better,” said Hunt.

“Sundowns is a quality side, a very difficult side to play against but we stuck to our guns and got the positive result.”

Hunt praised his two young fullbacks, Tebogo Pholose and Phumlani Ntshangase, with the former playing a key role in Wits' equaliser as he setup Sthembiso Ngcobo with a brilliant low cross.

“I think the young leftback was fantastic in his first game and the other kid on the right too was fantastic, these two kids have a great future.

With Wits now tied on 34 points with Sundowns and nine points off the log leaders, Hunt believed it would be difficult to catch Amakhosi but he would take it one game at time.

“If we can just get points per game and see what happens from there but it's very difficult to catch Kaizer Chiefs because they have a settled team and we have a lot of kids coming in.

“I am trying to take the team forward and it will take time but the boys have given me everything and that's all I can ask for.”

Sundowns have now lost two back-to-back matches after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates midweek. – Sapa

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