GROUNDS FOR CONCERN: The pitch at the Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit and most of the other 2010 World Cup stadiums have come under huge criticism for the poor state of their playing surfaces lately PICTURE: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI
HAVING extended their unbeaten league run to six matches at the weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believes his team still has some way to go in reaching their full potential in the Premiership.
“We’re getting better game-by- game as I have said from day one,” said Mosimane.
“We’re improving, the organisation is there. The boys play with pride and integrity, they respect the emblem of Sundowns.
“I haven’t got it right yet, we are still a little bit short in the final third, but in my team nobody walks, we all run and we all chase.”
The Brazilians climbed to eighth in the league standings on Friday, when the Pretoria outfit eased past Maritzburg United in Port Elizabeth.
Mosimane said the team would have to keep up their solid form ahead of today’s Premiership clash against visiting Golden Arrows in Pretoria.
Arrows walked away with a 1-0 victory over Sundowns when the two teams last met in the league in September 2012 – when Dutchman Johan Neeskens was still at the helm.
Mosimane, however, believed his side was responding well to his style of play.
“I was happy in our last game because the players ran, they fought and they chased back,” the former Bafana Bafana coach said.
“I’ve got my own philosophy of football from when I was still a coach at SuperSport United. I like football that is easy on the eye and simple, that’s my way of playing.
“Some people like to win quickly, I prefer to win properly. Sundowns is a big team, Sundowns can do better.”
Mosimane added that the medical team was still working on the fitness of star striker Katlego Mphela, who recovered from a knee injury in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, but had struggled to regain his fitness for the Brazilians.
“I’m a little bit worried about Killer [Katlego Mphela], we’re waiting for him, he plays 60 minutes, it’s okay,” said Mosimane.
“He scored a goal against Maritzburg United and he could have scored a second, but it’s coming together.”
Abafana Bes’thende, meanwhile, head into the clash on the back of a 1- 0 defeat to fellow KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu, who remain at the bottom of the table, but level on points with Ajax Cape Town.
Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi said he was disappointed with the result but was keeping an eye on the trip to Pretoria.
“Many of our players never nearly performed to the level that is expected [against AmaZulu],” Mngqithi said ahead of the clash.
“To be honest, we did not play well, AmaZulu deserved the win. It will never get easier, that’s why this is the Premiership.”
In today’s only other fixture, Ajax Cape Town host Bloemfontein Celtic at the Athlone Stadium.
Tomorrow, Free State Stars welcome Maritzburg United to the Charles Mopeli Stadium, the University of Pretoria take on Moroka Swallows in Pretoria, while Orlando Pirates host high-flying Platinum Stars at Orlando Stadium.
Black Leopards face Kaizer Chiefs in Polokwane, Usuthu square off against SuperSport United at the King Zwelithini Stadium, and Bidvest Wits are at home to Chippa United. — Sapa
