Pitso Mosimane, back when he was serving as coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Pitso Mosimane wary of ‘wounded’ Nedbank Cup opponents
Pitso Mosimane hopes to guide Mamelodi Sundowns a step closer to their second trophy of the season.
Pitso Mosimane, back when he was serving as coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane expecting a tough challenge from Bidvest Wits, whom he believes have prioritised the Nedbank Cup over the league title.
The Tshwane giants come up against the Braamfontein-based outfit in the semifinals of the competition at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Bidvest Wits expected to come out guns blazing
The fixture is the Clever Boys’ first outing since news broke that their franchise has been sold to new owners.
Mosimane, who has already secured a piece silverware this season, expects Saturday’s match to be an emotional occasion for his opposite camp.
“I hope the message sinks in the systems of my players to know what they have and what they don’t… they must not say they’re playing a team that [has been] sold,” he told TimesLive.
“They’re playing a team with the same players and same technical staff.
“In fact‚ we’re facing a wounded lion, and when you’re facing a wounded animal you know, you will be in trouble if you are complacent and not being careful of how you step.
“First, we’re going to give them the respect that they deserve‚ second it’s a semifinal it can go either way. It’s a big game‚ it’s a semifinal and it’s an emotional game.”
Pitso Mosimane
Frantic finish awaits Pitso Mosimane and Sundowns
Having not taken to the field since March, a congested fixture list awaits Mosimane and his charges.
Inside the space of a month, Sundowns is set to play ten games, and that number could increase, should they make the final.
Mosimane has voiced concern over the physical conditioning of his players heading to the restart.
“Unfortunately this game (the Nedbank Cup semifinal) is played when we don’t have the physical condition to match the emotions‚ the situation or the pedigree of a semifinal,” he said. “So unfortunately, we don’t have the legs for that and I think they can say the same thing‚ to be honest. So we’ll see how it goes and nobody is ready at this point in time. So we go for it‚ ja.”
Pitso Mosimane
Sundowns last won the Nedbank Cup in 2015, when they defeated Ajax Cape Town to claim their fourth title.
