DESPITE the Absa Premiership title race heading for a photo finish, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane is relaxed.
The defending champions are second in the standings, three points behind leaders Bidvest Wits with three matches to play.
Said Mosimane; “We have different priorities to Wits. The league is not in our hands. It’s Wits’ league to lose. But we will continue fighting and trying to win our remaining three matches. It’s going to be an exciting finish.”
Mosimane stressed his priorities lay with retaining both the Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup: “If Wits win the league, then good luck to them. They have done exceptionally well. Wits’ focus is local. They want to win the league.
“But it has not been equal – we have played 14 games more than them. Both Wits and (third placed) Cape Town City are fresh. Our international programme is important to us.”
“My priority is international. I want to make more history for Sundowns by winning the Champions League and Super Cup again, plus playing at the Fifa Club World Cup. Wits don’t care about the Champions League. Sundowns are a big club and have big ambitions.”
Even if Downs fail to retain the league title Mosimane won’t be losing any sleep: “I could never complain, as no other team in Africa has played more or done as much mileage as we have.”
Mosimane said he was happy to have key players Sibusiso Villakazi, Anele Ngcongca and Tiyani Mabunda back for the opening Champions League group stage clash with Ethiopia’s St George in Atteridgeville on Saturday: “This is the start of our important international programme and it’s good to have Anele, Mabunda and Villa back. We’ll need them for the Champions League.”
He is happy his Ivory Coast striker, Yannick Zakri, is finally settling and scoring since joining from Asec Mimosas at the start of the season.
Zakri scored in Downs’ 2-0 league win over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
Said Mosimane: “It’s taken Zakri time to get used to South Africa. It’s not easy for foreign layers to settle here. He has shown the speed and aggression we saw when we bought him.”
But before the coach can plan for St George, Downs host struggling Baroka FC in a Premiership clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm).
Said Brazilians midfield star Themba Zwane: “It was important to beat Pirates and stay in the league race. Baroka will come at us. We need to take the chances we create.”
