Share

Pitso rues missed chances

Pretoria - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has blamed missed chances and injuries for his side's 3-1 loss to Wits on Saturday night.

The loss meant Sundowns failed to take advantage of their game in hand to trim down Kaizer Chiefs' lead at the top of the table.

The Clever Boys came from a goal down to beat the Brazilians.

"They got their chances and utilised them, we didn't," Mosimane said after the match.

"I think we created enough chances to score two more goals had we been more clinical. Especially in the first half, the first 15 minutes belonged to us but we failed to wrap up the game."

However Mosimane believed it was just not his team's day and also expressed his disappointment in his players' lack of character despite the talent he had at his disposal.

"I am reeling on the players that am missing. We have a lot of players that could have won us this match but it was tough one.

"It was the kind of game that we could have played until tomorrow, we were just not ready to put the ball into the back of the net.

"Ramagalela's goal, I will have to check the video but from what I saw that was not offside. It doesn't matter though because even if we scored that one it wouldn't have helped because we were just not there."

Wits coach Gavin Hunt concurred with Mosimane about the balance of power in the match's opening quarter but said his tactical shift worked the magic.

"We were sloppy in the beginning and looked off the pace but after a change of shape in the opening 10-15 minutes we looked a little bit better," said Hunt.

"Sundowns is a quality side, a very difficult side to play against but we stuck to our guns and got the positive result."

Hunt praised his two young fullbacks, Tebogo Pholose and Phumlani Ntshangase, with the former playing a key role in Wits' equaliser as he setup Sthembiso Ngcobo with a brilliant low cross.

"I think the young leftback was fantastic in his first game and the other kid on the right too was fantastic, these two kids have a great future.

With Wits now tied on 34 points with Sundowns and nine points off the log leaders, Hunt believed it would be difficult to catch Amakhosi but he would take it one game at time.

"If we can just get points per game and see what happens from there but it's very difficult to catch Kaizer Chiefs because they have a settled team and we have a lot of kids coming in.

"I am trying to take the team forward and it will take time but the boys have given me everything and that's all I can ask for."

Sundowns have now lost two back-to-back matches after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates midweek.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
0% - 0 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
100% - 1 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE