Former Bafana Bafana and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane says that his former club Mamelodi Sundowns need maturity and experience to win the CAF Champions League. Mosimane was recently unveiled as new coach of Al Wahda FC in the UAE Pro League after he parted ways with Saudi Arabia club Al Ahli.
Mosimane was giving his viewpoint after Sundowns were knocked out of the competition in heartbreaking fashion by Wydad AC in the semi-finals of the competition following an own goal from midfielder Mothobi Mvala. Mosimane won the CAF Champions League with the Brazilians in 2016.
“Sundowns had the best team, they had the best moments and they played well. They played beautifully with flair. But it takes more than that to win the Champions League – but you do not allow Al Ahly back into the tournament. They just needed to beat Wydad and I expected them to win. I do not want to talk about these things because if you talk about them, it’s a double-edged sword and it’s like you’re sarcastic.
“It takes more than talent to win it – it also takes maturity from both players and the coach. The Champions League is not about how good you are, it is about being at the right place at the right time and doing the right things at the time. Al Ahly were a little stronger this year but Sundowns smashed them 5-2. Esperance were the weakest I have seen in the last five years. Zamalek are not on top of their game and they have lost a lot of good players,” Mosimane added.
Mosimane was speaking at the official media launch of the Pitso Mosimane Schools Sport (PMSS) at the Maslow Hotel, in Sandton, attended by key stakeholders in sports including government leaders.
The event was graced by the Gauteng MEC of Education Matome Chiloane, Premier of Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi, and SA Football Association Technical Director, Walter Steenbok, who all delivered words of support. Mosimane said PMSS will guide and grow young footballers to become technically, intellectually, and socially equipped, to succeed and excel in the competitive world of professional football.
PMSS caters for boys and girls between the ages of 6-years-old and 13-years-old. This strategy is in line with the PMSS objective, which is to “Create the Player of Tomorrow”, starting the player development journey at grass roots level.
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