Mamelodi Sundowns host Bidvest Wits in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup Saturday night. I use the word host loosely because (a) the game will not taking place at Loftus and (b) there will, of course, be no supporters in the stadium. Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane spoke to TimesLIVE about the upcoming clash. Mosimane touched on the sale of the Wits franchise to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). He also said he feels Gavin Hunt’s team seem to be prioritizing the Nedbank Cup.
“We have a big game against Wits of course and if you listen to their statements‚ they’re saying that they want to go out in style‚” Mosimane told TimesLIVE.
“Obviously there are a lot of incentives for the (Wits) players and the coaches (to win the cup)‚ so that’s why they’ve prioritized the Nedbank Cup. I’m saying what they’re saying in the media.
“They haven’t said anything about the league. They have only spoken about the cup‚ so that gives me an indication that the league is not the priority to them.
“I’m not talking on their behalf‚ but I’m talking about what they’ve said.”
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Football is a cruel game. Not only on the pitch but also in the boardroom. The sale of Bidvest Wits came as a shock to many and most surprisingly, it came as a shock to the players and team’s staff too.
In the same interview, Pitso Mosimane called Bidvest Wits “a wounded lion”. I think he may be poking the wounded animal with a stick. I’m not too sure what Pitso is trying to achieve by pointing out Wits’ priorities. Mosimane says Wits “…haven’t said anything about the league,…” However, all statements made by players and Gavin Hunt about the game on Saturday, came when said players and coach were asked about said game.
Could this be his masterplan? Pitso’s Mamelodi Sundowns side found Bidvest Wits hard to beat in the league this season having played two draws. Is Mosimane throwing down the gauntlet to Bidvest Wits to show how much they really want the Nedbank Cup? Like: “You guys said you want to win this right? So come and win it.” This would put his team at an advantage because of the less emotional approach to Saturday’s game.
Maybe Mosimane is right. Maybe Wits should and are focusing on winning the Nedbank Cup over the league. Wits are 6th, 10 points behind log leaders Kaizer Cheifs with 9 games left to play. I am not liking their chances to win the league. Injuries to key players and losses in big games has hurt them. And put them in a hole that may be too deep to climb out of. All that being said, I still wouldn’t put it past Pitso Mosimane playing mind games on the eve of a big game.
By @cheezfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)