Johannesbrug - Pitso Mosimane is likely to be as far away as possible from Mamelodi Sundowns’ contract negotiations with club captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele, but that did not stop the coach, who had just returned from an important victory in their opening CAF Champions League group stage clash away to ES Setif in Algeria at the weekend, from speaking of his desperation to see the Brazilians skipper extend his stay.
Mphahlele did not travel with Sundowns to Setif, where they beat the hosts 2-0 on Saturday night, because he is out of contract next week and felt he should only play once his future is secured, forcing Mosimane to field a makeshift defence and hand the captain’s armband to Thabo Nthethe.
Shortly after arriving from Algeria via Istanbul on Monday, the coach expressed disappointment at how the right-back was treated.”He has served me well as a captain,” Mosimane said.
“He played all the games when he was available, and when he was injured his attitude was unbelievable during his rehabilitation, an absolute professional. As a coach, I like Rama the player and he is still my captain, by the way. But if this is about more than just the game, then us coaches have to step aside.
Maybe the club has to answer the questions because I don’t know what is happening behind the scenes. Contracts should not be left until this late. And even when the club has agreed that we will not renew, we should let go. These long negotiations are not good for both parties.
”Although he will be devastated if Mphahlele joins a rival team – rumoured to be Kaizer Chiefs if talks to renew his deal at Sundowns are unsuccessful – Mosimane said it was only natural for the man who replaced defender Alje Schut as captain in August last year to demand what he feels is his true value.
So far, the Bafana Bafana star has rejected counter offers from Sundowns.
“It is not up to me to solve this as part of the technical team. This is for Rama, his agent and the club. There is nothing wrong (with the player wanting an improved offer). It is normal and has happened to a lot of players at Sundowns before, like Elias Pelembe and Katlego Mphela. If he feels he wants to sign, he will sign,” Mosimane explained.
“The challenge, from what I hear, is that Chiefs are breaking the bank for him. What can you do? Rama must get what he thinks is right for him.”When he finally got to react on Sundown’s 2-0 win away from home with what was not his best starting eleven, Mosimane said the victory, against one of the tournament favourites and the 2014 champions, was quite pleasing.
”I can’t say I am not happy or that I could have gotten more. I honestly got the best result (one which has put Sundowns top of Group B after the opening round).”
@superjourno
The Star