Pitso Mosimane's squad changes cost him first leg advantage of the MTN8 semifinals
Pitso: "A good and exciting football game with two well-coached teams."
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| Pic credit: SuperSport |
The Citizens fullback, Taariq Fielies gave his side a first leg advantage of the MTN8 semifinals with an incredible goal from a setpiece, a massive boost for them when they meet Sundowns on their home turf in the second leg. This was the first meeting between the two clubs since City were formed in 2016.
However, this meeting became a different story for Pitso Mosimane's travelling squad as they were downed by Fielies. Mosimane sang his team's praises and congratulated for Benni's side for giving a great game of football.
"A good game of football, exciting and I don't think we sat down for a minute but it was an all-around good display of football with two well-coached teams," he said.
Mosimane was quick to add that fellow coach Benni has grown since being sworn in as Cape Town City's manager without any prior coaching experience, adding that the former footballer is showing a level of seriousness about his career.
A team of Sundowns' calibre is not always easy to take on and it is not easy for them when they lose away from home but Pitso was somehow able to keep the spirits up by the praises he was piling on his travelling squad.
The Brazilian's leader made a point of how some of his players hadn't played a full 45 minutes of a game but still managing to play a game against a tough opposition was a good enough for him and showed that he doesn't have to worry too much about his squad considering the circumstances they are playing under with back to back games.
" I'm not unhappy with my boys under the circumstances. I think you all know that 90% of the team that's on the pitch has not even played 45 minutes,
"I am not talking about the first start for Toni Silva, I think Ali Meza played longer than he has ever played. Lucky never started, Mosa never started, Kennedy started at least,
"I guess those are the few players that never even played 45mins and to come here and play a tough game like this is brilliant,
"We played well, I am happy with them especially with the progression of our program as we have a different program. I think we are managing it well," Pitso told the media.
Mosimane didn't waste time reminding the media about his team's schedule having to play three competitions in six days; that being the league game, the CAF Champions League and the MTN8 with all these games requiring a different mentality and emotions altogether.
Sundowns is known to be a team that is ambitious and with every right considering the depth of the squad and what they have achieved, it is no surprise how they can still compete on this level with immense exhaustion and still achieve great success - it is a prize to be paid if you want more as a team of this calibre.
Mosimane believes not all is lost with his side despite losing advantage away from hope and believes they still have a chance on home ground in the second leg. He also added that some changes he made to the squad were an error from his side especially when you are playing in a squad with Taariq Fielies and felt Mosa Lebusa may have let the goalscorer of the hook but added he is giving him a chance to play as he still has to grow.
"All is not lost. We still have another chance to play in Pretoria so we just to accept that we made the biggest mistake ever but we also need to understand that is what happens when you change the team because there is no way when you play Cape Town City and leave Fielies alone - no chance and Mosa left him alone but he's gonna grow.
"I have to give Mosa a chance to play, for me, it's not a win at all costs; if I want to sort it out I will put Wayne and if I really want a goal and I am desperate, I have Brockie on the bench.
"If I really want to open and stretch the midfield then I have got Manyisa and Andile Jali. I have also got Tiyani Mabunda on the stands," he said.
"You know if I really want to win then I will bring in the big guns but we have a chance to play again then they must rest but I think we played well and created chances off the post.
"I am not unhappy with my boys, just unhappy that we lost but you must look at the circumstances and think to yourself that they did well.
"What can I say? When you are ambitious you have a lot on your plate, you gotta stand up for it and that's what we are. That's what Mamelodi Sundowns is about.
"We played a fresh team, they played last Saturday, seven days ago? A well-rested team that's for sure," Pitso concluded at the press conference.
Mamelodi Sundowns will look to reclaim their glory when they meet Cape Town City at Lucas Moripe stadium on Sunday, September 2 in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinal.
Till next time. . .
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