I won’t quit – Pitso Mosimane

The last time Downs lost three or more games consecutively goes back to August 2012 when they suffered four straight defeats under Johan Neeskens.

Following Masandawana’s exit from the Telkom Knockout on Sunday at the hands of Chippa United – a 1-0 win that saw the Chilli Boys record their first win over them in 12 attempts – Brazilians coach Pitso Mosimane (right) blames his side’s shortcomings in front of goal for their horrendous form.

READ: Sundowns are going through a difficult phase – Pitso

“I am emphasising that we are playing well but we are not creating a lot of chances to score. It is very difficult to play on a complex stage where the teams go on the break,” Mosimane told SuperSport TV.

“But really, to press panic buttons and say we don’t have a team and the team does not play well (is too much). I don’t know, maybe I love my team so much. I have been with this team for five years, I know where this team comes from and where it is.

“We are going through a phase, it is a difficult phase and when we go through this phase I must raise my hands and lead the team. I am not going to hide, you know me, I don’t quit.”

Sundowns’ next assignment is a match against league rivals Orlando Pirates this evening in Soweto, who themselves are on an upward trajectory under the stewardship of Micho Sredojevic and Mosimane’s former second-in-command Rhulani Mokwena. With the likes of Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro struggling to hit form, Mosimane says he will, somehow, engineer a way to perform better up front.

“We have to move on and keep trying and dig deeper, that’s my job. I told them (the players) that they have to try harder and if we do not win this one we have to try harder.”

READ: Micho wary of wounded Sundowns