Pitso's lessons from the bio-bubble: 'Make your substitutions as quick as possible'

• Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane explains the lessons he has learned so far from the bio-bubble.
• The Brazilians played to a goalless draw against Orlando Pirates on Tuesday at Dobsonville Stadium.
• Masandawana continue their season against Highlands Park on Friday evening.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admits he has had several "lessons learned" so far from completing the 2019/20 season under the biologically safe environment (BSE).

In just their second match in three days, the Brazilians were held to a goalless draw by Orlando Pirates at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The former Bafana Bafana mentor believes that being in the BSE for less than a week has already highlighted some important lessons for him as a coach as Sundowns look to beat Kaizer Chiefs to the Absa Premiership crown over the next month.

"The lessons learned from this game is that in the second game, you might not be as strong as you thought you were in the first game," Mosimane said in virtual post-match press conference.

"Lessons learned are that we had to substitute Mosa Lebusa because his calf [muscle] was giving him trouble, and we don't want him to pull it.

"At half-time he said, 'Coach, I'm feeling it [tighten].' I said, 'Please, don't pull it. If you feel it's getting overloaded, please indicate.' And he indicated, so we took him out at the right time. It's the same thing we had with Rivaldo (Coetzee) when we played Wits three days back.

Mosimane continued: "So, lessons learned are to do the substitutions as quickly as possible. We've told our players, 'If you feel any discomfort or anything, you have to come out because we have five subs and we've got three chances to make them.

"'You cannot be selfish because if you get injured, when you come back, the league [season] is finished. So, those are the lessons learned."

The draw has meant that Sundowns remain in second position (45 points) with three points behind log leaders Amakhosi (48) who are in action on Wednesday against Bidvest Wits (match starts at 18:00).

Masandawana's next fixture is on Friday against Highlands Park at Dobsonville Stadium, while the Buccaneers face-off against Wits on Saturday.

Both matches will kick-off at 18:00.