JOHANNESBURG – Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane said Wednesday night's Nelson Mandela Challenge clash at the FNB Stadium against Barcelona's superstars was good for his side's Caf Champions League preparations.
Sundowns are away to Horoya FC next Tuesday and Mosimane said the match, played in front of 78 000 fans, helped them prepare for the second-leg clash in Guinea.
“It’s good preparations for us,” said Mosimane. We will never stop playing to the best of our ability. I’m happy for the team as they did well. I’m proud of them.”
The match was over as a contest from the time the visitors took a 3-0 lead but Sundowns showed some neat touches during the match.
“I’m happy we played well we could find our passing patterns. There were times when we did regain the ball and we could also press them to get the ball,” Mosimane said.
“Look it was a nice game of football and the quality was there. We were playing against Barcelona and the first two goals, honestly we gifted them and I cannot blame my boys.
“They gave their best and Barcelona gave us a good game. It is good for South African football and for my team,” said Mosimane.
He added that had they been able to convert their chances, it would have been a different story.
“We missed chances and they converted, that was the difference. Had Percy Tau scored before halftime it might have changed things,” he added.
“I’m proud of Masandawana, they played well, the way I wanted them to play. They tried to play from the back as usual but they battled because Barcelona kept pressing us,” Mosimane said.
Barca returned to Spain after the match to prepare for their final game of the season at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.