Predicting a struggle for Sundowns
Sundowns were hammered 3-0 in a drama-filled league match marred by controversy, including a late red card for Thabo Matlaba and playing card issues for Brazilians' captain Alje Schut at Loftus Stadium.
I find it shocking that 'Jingles' should shift the blame for their defeat. Speaking after the match, Mosimane retaliated, claiming there was a bit of conspiracy going on. Mosimane is a very good coach, I applaud him for all his tireless efforts with the team, but he needs to learn to accept defeat and keep quiet once in a while. I personally understand his frustrations, especially after the Brazilians had suffered three consecutive losses against Bucs, but his reactions were uncalled for. I honestly feel that with this behaviour, soon he will be at the receiving end of his un-sportsman like conduct. Wednesday's match was epic to watch and all this animosity could have been avoided. Yesterday, Orlando Pirates reacted furiously to the very Mosimane's post-match comments, proclaiming that Mosimane is not a new coach in South Africa and he knows the ins and outs of our football,
"He knows that within the week of play the two team managers would have communicated the jerseys each team were going to use to avoid the two teams realising on the day of play that the colours clash. He also knows that an hour before the match the representative of the two sides would have checked the playing cards of each other's teams to ensure they exist and are valid. This is a routine practice that happens at every match. It was in the perfomance of this practise that is routine, that Pirates representative discovered that Mr Alje Schut's card had expired,'' Pirates claimed in a statement on their official website.
Apparently, Mosimane was advised not to field Schut, but refused saying the player had a new card that is valid and that the card would be collected and made available for inspection. Mosimane made his bed, he should lie in it. All these misleading utterances are causing a stir and I don't see the necessity. His comment: ''I know what is going to happen to me now, I am going to be suspended," is very irresponsible and it suggests that he knows that he is doing wrong. As much as I respect 'Jingles', sometimes he becomes too emotional when things are not going his way and tends to panic, which creates doubt in many including myself. I don't believe Sundowns were outplayed by the Buccaneers in Wednesday's clash. The Brazillians created a lot of scoring opportunities which were unfortunately not utilised. My thoughts are that Sundowns will struggle to win silverware this season and that Pitso feels the same way and is getting frustrated.
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
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