Johannesburg - Pitso Mosimane has hit out at Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for buying players for more than what they are really worth, saying the transfer market has become “crazy” and that some players are overpriced.
Mosimane, named Coach of the Quarter on Monday after his Sundowns side finished in second in the last quarter of the season, is set to offload many of his so-called stars who were brought in for millions but failed to deliver on their hefty price tags.
“The prices on players are too steep. The market has gone crazy. If you look at the players we pay so much money for, and you look at what you get in return, is it worth it really?
“I would blame Sundowns, Pirates and Chiefs. We took the market to another level. Now you want to buy a player, and that player is R5-million and you look at that player, he’s an unfinished product. Is he worth R5-million?
“We are sitting with players (at Sundowns), and if we have to sell them for what we bought them for, it’s another story. But we are to blame, the big three. We are competing amongst ourselves (for players) and I think it’s time we become realistic and things will be normal,” said Mosimane, who was presented with a cheque of R15000 for winning the Coach of the Quarter award.
Mosimane made it clear that Sundowns will not be splashing money out on star players, like they have done previously, for next season. Instead they will sign players they really need to help the club challenge for the title next season after a disappointing season in which they finished outside the top eight.
Sundowns, who finished 10th, have already signed Moroka Swallows midfielder Sibusiso Kumalo, who can hardly win a place in the Dube Birds starting line-up, on a pre-contract.
“We all know that we would sign players because they are good or that they have a good season. Now we will sign the right players. I will sign players that we really need, and some of the players we need are not the top stars. We have already signed a young midfielder who is not shining and glamorous. Nobody wanted him. Those are the kind of players we want to bring in.
“We will strengthen on our weaknesses. We would like to have players who finish better. My team created more chances than any other team but we did not convert them.”
Maritzburg United striker Cuthbert Malajila, who scored 11 league goals, has been linked with a move to Sundowns and could be the man to solve their scoring problems. Mosimane confirmed he would like to have the Zimbabwean in his side. “I like Malajila.
He scores lots of goals and he works very hard. I would like to have him, but I don’t know if I can afford him. I’d like to tell you straight, honestly, but I can’t tell you because the team has to unveil all the players that we are signing and I’m about to complete the signings.
I’m almost there,” Mosimane said.
Mosimane has called for Sundowns to give him time to build a formidable squad that will challenge for titles. He says club president Patrice Motsepe has given him his full support.
“They must give me time to build a team. We are building for the future. Pressure will always be there, but Sundowns should understand. I’ve built SuperSport. When I got the challenge of taking on Sundowns, I just went to the cupboard and dusted the old book of SuperSport. We can turn Sundowns around. He (Motsepe) gives me support and we share the same vision for this club. We have a good relationship. He trusted me to take Sundowns out of relegation and he believes we can leave a legacy at Sundowns.”
Meanwhile, Platinum Stars’ midfielder Robert N’gambi, voted Player of the Quarter, said the club was “unlucky” not to win the Premiership title which Kaizer Chiefs have claimed. Stars finished second on the standings and finished on top for quarter four in the Q-Innovation
The Star