Pitso takes dig at inferior Sisa pitch

ANNOYED: Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was not pleased about Sisa ground Picture: SINO MAJANGAZA
ANNOYED: Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was not pleased about Sisa ground Picture: SINO MAJANGAZA
Sisa Dukashe Stadium might meet the minimum Premier Soccer League requirements but it came for some heavy criticism from Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane on Tuesday, calling the Mdantsane venue a “grazing field”.

The field, which Buffalo City Metro (BCM) worked on last year before it was given the thumbs up to host PSL games, was heavy, muddy and unplayable in parts because of the rain that hit Mdantsane in the days leading up to Tuesday night's game between Chippa United and Sundowns.

Speaking to journalists after the 1-1 draw between the sides, the African coach of the year said while it was good to take games to people, facilities are not always up to scratch in townships.

He said because of the poor condition of the pitch, his charges had to play percentage football by constantly playing the ball behind defenders – something they do not train for.

“I think it’s a disadvantage for them to come here when the weather conditions are like this. There’s nothing wrong with coming to the townships because we need to bring football to our people.

“But the disadvantage is now the infrastructure sometimes let us down,” he said.

Mosimane rested nine of his regular players and gave an opportunity to some of his fringe players. So, what was the thinking behind that?

“It's because I saw the grazing field out there. Two, I have a cup final on Saturday so what is my priority?

“So you got to prioritise. What’s important is what’s important and I’m not saying this game is not important.

“But I'm saying the cup final is important for the history of the club – for the history of South Africa because no one has won that cup,” he said.

BCM mayor Xola Pakati hit back yesterday, saying Mosimane was entitled to his own opinions.

“But that doesn't suggest that his opinion is right because the PSL has someone who determines the suitability of the field. It is unfortunate that he called our field ‘grazing land’. He should take up his complaint with the PSL,” said Pakati.

“The pitch was approved by the PSL, so we’ll wait for their recommendations contrary to that.”

Sundowns will clash with Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe in the final of the Caf Super Cup at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Never one to shy away from sharing his opinion of match officials, the vocal coach also stopped short of criticising referee Victor Gomes for awarding what he felt was a soft penalty.

He said when Gomes, his assistants and the match commissioner went to the dressing-rooms just before kick-off, he told them that he was afraid of penalties that might be awarded because players might slip on the wet pitch.

“And they were laughing at me and I know also who the referee is. You know my man he likes to point to the spot you know whether legitimate or not.

“I’m not saying it’s not a penalty because I see where I am. Maybe you guys can tell me was it a penalty?

“Wayne Arendse said to me ‘coach it’s not a penalty, I got the ball’. But you know what, it’s two years I haven’t spoken about a referee, so I’m not going to speak about the referee,” he said.

In the past, Mosimane has been fined thousands of rands by the PSL for his comments about referees.

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