I’m a bad loser, admits Pitso Mosimane

This is what the Mamelodi Sundowns coach revealed when asked about his comments which have stirred a lot of debate over the past week. He repeated them after the 2-1 win over Baroka on Saturday.

“I don’t know how many points I am behind the leaders at this point, what I know is that I got three points today,” said Mosimane in relation to a possible points deduction after they were found guilty of playing an ineligible player in October.

When it was put to him that it was currently three points that separated his Masandawana from Orlando Pirates who top the Absa Premiership, he retorted: “Maybe later it will not be like that.”

READ: Sundowns keep the pressure on Pirates with Baroka win

“But that is my opinion, not the club’s. I can’t say we are out of the title race because I don’t want to dampen the mood for the supporters who travel long distances to support us.

“I am myself. Steve Komphela is himself and we are outspoken. Normally people take it in different ways. If I feel I am short changed I don’t like it. If I lose to SuperSport United (Sundowns lost 2-0 to Matsatsantsa last week) it is okay, I don’t have a problem. But when I feel I am short changed – because I put a lot of hard work into preparing the team – I lash out. Some people say I am a bad loser, well I have never seen a good loser.

“A coach who loses and smiles will be sacked. I don’t like losing. Some suggest I should be modest but that’s not in my character. I say what I say and if it is not right, so be it, I am a football coach and I don’t like losing,” said Mosimane.

Sundowns have a chance to close the gap on the Buccaneers tonight when they host Chippa United, who are walking wounded after a dramatic 4-2 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in a Nedbank Cup semi-final at the weekend.

“Chippa are always a difficult team for us,” he said. Mosimane is likely to again call on Sibusiso Vilakazi who has just recovered from a lengthy injury layoff. Vilakazi gave a good performance against Baroka and earned the penalty that resulted in their first goal.

“We didn’t want to give him 90, we felt that 70 minutes would be fine because we have another tight game on Tuesday, to take the stiffness out so he can be ready for Tuesday,” added Mosimane.

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