In an empty Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday night there was no getting away from the frustration of Pitso Mosimane as his Mamelodi Sundowns side went down to Baroka FC 1-0.
Bottles were kicked, words exchanged with opponents and officials, but Mosimane put his actions down to the ‘heat of football’.
Frustrated Mosimane wants more
Neither Sundowns nor title rivals Kaizer Chiefs have been terribly impressive since the restart and the title rivals suffered duel setbacks on Sunday.
Sundowns surrendered the initiative back to Chiefs after Amakhosi were stunned 1-0 by Bidvest Wits earlier in the day, adding to Mosimane’s frustration.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s the heat of football. It is keeping everyone on the edge,” Mosimane said.
“I am very disappointed because we at least wanted to take a point (to guarantee top position).
“We fought for that. But it’s unbelievable the way things are going. And it’s frustrating the way things are going because we are human beings as coaches.”
Mosimane remained upbeat about Sundowns chances of claiming a third successive PSL title and making him the most successful coach in the history of the league and the first to guide a team to five Premierships.
“Behind us, there’s our families and the supporters,” Mosimane said
“But let’s see how it goes. This league still has a heartbeat, so let’s see how it goes. We’ll try to win the last two matches and hope that will help us.”
Sundowns have endured the most intense schedule since the restart, but their coach doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for coming up short in the quest for Kabo Yellow’s 10th title.
“We don’t want to make excuses, saying that we are playing against the well-rested. So, in the last two games we are going for it (the league title) and we’ll hope for the best,” said Mosimane.
Sundowns are unlikely to make up the six goals that currently separate them from Kaizer Chiefs and will need to hope that Amakhosi slip up again in the final two rounds.
Masandawana were on a four-match winning streak in the league when the season was suspended and could be forgiven for wondering what might have been had the season run as scheduled.
We can take the pressure
Mosimane says that he and his team are capable of withstanding the pressure of a tense title race.
“Our job is pressure,” Mosimane said about the PSL title race.
“As coaches, we are trained to be professionals. We are trained to take the pressure. In our profession, there is always pressure. There is always an expectation and everybody’s opinion. One day you are loved and day you are not.”
Sundowns face Polokwane City on Wednesday while Kaizer Chiefs will take on Chippa United. All PSL matches for the final two rounds will kick off simultaneously.
