Pitso: We're not confident

Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says confidence or a lack thereof is a huge issue among his highly paid players.

According to the Footballl411 website, Sundowns stumbled to a 1-1 draw with the University of Pretoria at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday night where Richard Henyekane's 51st-minute effort was cancelled out by Bongani Zungu after a horrendous mistake in defence allowed the player to get his shot away.

The Brazilians, who currently occupy 11th place in the PSL, have improved immeasurably under the former national team boss since his arrival in December 2012, but they are still to completely shake off the malaise they exuded under former incumbent Johan Neeskens.

Downs have a rich history, some of the country's best players funded by the millions of Patrice Motsepe's money, but Tuks who are currently in eighth place in their first season in the South African top flight, proved that riches do not guarantee success.

Following the stalemate, a frustrated Mosimane said: "We pushed as much as we could. We're trying our best and we're a little bit desperate - you could see that - and also a little bit nervous, because we aren't winning enough, so after we score we go into a mode of uncertainty.

"The boys feel like the match should just stop after we score, but I understand where that comes from. We suffered a lot during the first round, we lost a lot of points in the first round and we lost on Sunday.

"The boys are not really confident of taking it to the opponents, but we played well. We pushed until the end."

Tuks boss Steve Barker on the other hand commended his players for their tireless effort which keeps them in with a chance of finishing in the top eight.

Barker said: "We went the goal down and I thought credit must go to Tuks for their response. You could easily drop your heads, and I thought our response was really top class.

"I want to continue to give my management, my technical staff and support staff thanks for the amount of effort they put in everyday, which allows this team of mine to be able to go out on a weekly basis and put in performances like they do.

"I tell them, 'keep running, keep running, the more you run, the luckier you'll get,' it's working for us.

"I would have taken two points, most certainly. Sundowns remain a good team, a good club with good players."