MAMELODI Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane hailed his opponents , Chippa United, performance in the MTN8 second leg semifinals at Lucas Moripe stadium yesterday.
Sundowns narrowly beat Chippa 1-0 last night to book their place in the final, where they will play on-form Bidvest Wits at Mbombela Stadium on 1 October (5pm).
The Chilli boys held Sundowns to a goalless draw in the first leg at Nelson Mandela stadium, Port Elizabeth. But second half substitute Anthony Laffor fired a grass-cutting shot in the second leg to take the host to their first final of the season.
Mosimane said he knew that Chippa was going to make it difficult for them but had pre-planned for them.
Mosimane said: “We played a very, very good side and in the second half I want to believe they were better than us. Once Chippa is settled they are good and troubling but we had to soldier on and do the business and the business was to go to the final.
“Chippa is a very great team. I don’t think there is any team (in the PSL) that can claim ball possession from Chippa. We tried to intimidate them but they were strong for us. We tried to push them in their half but they also escaped. I think Dan Malesela has done an exceptionally job for Chippa.”
Mosimane will now switch his focus to CAF Champions League second leg semifinals against Zesco United at the same venue. The Brazilian suffered a 2-1 defeat in Zambia and they will be looking to get that only goal on Saturday evening (7pm) to reach two finals in the space of three days.
