Sundowns, Pitso Mosimane

Pitso Mosimane wants Sundowns star Gaston Sirino to follow in the footsteps of Khama Billiat and Percy Tau

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has put his neck out once again, suggesting that Gaston Sirino will be in the running for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Season award come the end of the current campaign.

The 54-year-old has in the past successfully guided Khama Billiat and Percy Tau to South African football’s biggest individual prize, and Mosimane is adamant that Sirino will be his crowning jewel this time around.

“I think he will be footballer of the year,” Mosimane told the media when asked about his thoughts on the playmaker.

Article continues below

“It doesn’t mean that I am right. I got it right with Khama and Percy. So, I hope I get it right again,” Mosimane added.

Moreover, it has not been the best of starts to the 2018/19 season for the defending PSL champions, who despite being unbeaten in the league have won just three games. Sundowns though, shift focus onto the Telkom Knockout this weekend as they lock horns with Baroka in Limpopo.

“We are starting to get the confidence and wins. Confidence only comes through wins and I hope we keep our momentum,” Mosimane said.

“We know we won our last two games, even though it was narrow, at this point in time, I think that’s what we need,” he explained.

“Combinations are still not there upfront. I think the guys upfront are trying to find each other… it’s not easy,” he continued.

“But we must respect Baroka, they are a good team,” the former Bafana Bafana mentor remarked.

Baroka have won just two games this season, but their previous appearances in Cup competitions has made Mosimane wary.

“They are unpredictable. Baroka like the Cup, we know their history with the Cup, they are giant killers and we need to respect that,” he said.

“I think against Bloemfontein Celtic, we played very well in the Cup. I’d like to take the game of Celtic and put it forward, it would be good, because Celtic were stubborn. We pressurised them in the first half, second half belonged to them,” he revealed.

“It looks likes Sundowns are a team of two halves, even in Mdantsane (Against Chippa in their last league outing), we took the first half, second half they came at us,” he said.

“So, probably we need to finish the game earlier, so we can play without stress,” Mosimane suggested.

Meanwhile, a lot has been said regarding Andile Jali’s off-the-field issues, which has led many to question whether or not he would feature for the Tshwane giants this weekend, but Mosimane was adamant that the player will travel with the squad to face Baroka.

However, Mosimane has admitted that Anthony Laffor will not feature.

“Was he travelling last week, no change,” Mosimane said.

“We do have injuries, long term Laffor, we are yet to see him play, we do have injuries, but we can’t use the excuse of injuries,” Mosimane expressed.  

Who is South Africa's greatest export?

Thanks for voting.

Results will be shared soon.

Who is South Africa's greatest export?

    Advertisement