Cape Town - Following Mamelodi Sundowns' progression to the semi-final of the CAF Champions League, Pitso Mosimane had a few harsh words targeted at PSL clubs showing a lack of interest in participating in Africa.
Sundowns had a tremendous Absa Premiership campaign and took their form into the premier CAF competition after being reinstated into the tournament.
Mosimane’s charges went about their return in incredible fashion having secured a semi-final spot brushing aside Zamalek on Wednesday evening, courtesy of an own goal by Ali Gabr in the 79th minute.
The former Bafana Bafana coach vented in the post match press conference about the interest shown by PSL clubs in the continental show piece.
In the past Orlando Pirates held the South African flag high having reached two continental finals - 2013 Champions League and 2015 CAF Confederation Cup.
“All I know is that Orlando Pirates have done South Africa a favour by reaching continental semi-finals and going further‚” Mosimane said as quoted by the Times Live.
“And I’m happy that we are also now contributing and giving back‚ and making sure that we have two places for the Champions League and two for the Confederation Cup.
“But it’s not nice. We work so hard that South African teams have places in these competitions and then some people don’t take it seriously. They say‚ ‘We don’t care about this’.
“Sometimes you have clubs who really want to take these competitions seriously‚ like Platinum Stars. They really want it. They are so happy to be part of it.
“And it’s not only good for us [the clubs]‚ it’s good for Bafana and the country.
“It’s beautiful. We need to play in this space. We’ve been away from this space for too long. So it’s good when the real people look at it properly and take it seriously.”