Following Sundowns’ thrashing by Blemfontein Celtic, Pitso Mosimane was understandably looking worse for wear.
That the Premier Soccer League (PSL) was awarding him with the accolade for the best coach of the last two months (February and March) was not going to do much to cushion the blow of the fact he is unlikely to defend his club’s Absa Premiership title.
The 5-0 hammering by Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday night clearly still rankled, Mosimane was at his grumpy best.
And it was not long before the source of his foul mood came to the fore, the man they affectionately call ‘Jingles’ whingeing about what he felt was a belittling of his efforts by the media to the extent he threatened to quit the local game. “You don’t understand me,” said Mosimane, “You always want me to be apologetic and not voice my opinions.
“There was a point when I decided that I am not going to speak, but the PSL told me that I have to speak. The thing is, when I speak, I tell the truth – all the time. Even when I am called by the Disciplinary Committee (DC), I don’t lie.
“It is very tough for me because I have a lot of passion for the game.
“I give back to the game. I spend a lot of time on the game and I work very hard and give my life to football. I don’t cheat the game, I don’t waste time playing golf, I am a loyal servant of football,” said the former Bafana Bafana coach.
“Sometimes I feel like South Africa doesn’t understand me; you personalise me. And I feel like, if it becomes too difficult for me, maybe I should go to youth coaching or go to neighbouring countries. I can coach anywhere in the world. And leave (South Africa).
“Is that what you want? If anybody wants me to be apologetic, I will give you that, those boring interviews.
“When you speak from your heart, it is not accepted in South Africa. Maybe I will go to youth football. I love football, but I will leave the country. Yes, I won’t earn as much as I am earning at the moment. I will have to adjust and probably have to change my lifestyle, but I will still be able to take my kids to school,” said Mosimane.
Mosimane was announced as the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month (February and March) with his striker Cuthbert Malajila scooping Player of the Month at the PSL offices in Parktown yesterday.
For getting the award, Mosimane thanked everyone at Sundowns for helping him with the team. “Physical trainers, goalkeeping coaches, everyone has done exceptionally well at the team. This award is not about me, it is about Mamelodi Sundowns. There is still a lot to play for, we just have to accept the defeat (to Celtic) and move on. We can’t dwell on it.”
Malajila, on the other hand, says he will be looking to add more goals to the 10 he has scored so far this season to help Sun-downs get back to winnings ways. He says their chances of defending their title aren’t over yet. “You don’t know what will happen tomorrow, the league is not over yet. We need to win all our games and see what happens.” - The Star