Mosimane’s men get through awkward challenge

An away goal in the MTN semifinal first leg against neighbours SuperSport United was pleasing for Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, who described Sunday’s 1-1 first-leg draw as “difficult”.

“It was a difficult game for us against an awkward opponent,” he said after the stalemate at Atteridgeville in what was SuperSport’s home game and which now gives Sundowns an advantage should the tie have to be decided on the away goals rule.

“They played to their strengths and they gave us a hard time the way they played. A lot of setpieces, a lot of crosses.

“They have the personnel to play like this and then why not play to your strengths. (Bradley) Grobler, (Thamsanqa) Gabuza, Bongani Khumalo, Clayton (Daniels), (Evans) Rusike … those are gladiators. They played to their strengths and we should respect that,” said Mosimane.

“But we managed to deal with them. My team selection was different. That’s why I opted for Wayne Arendse because of the aerial challenge but they still troubled us on setpieces.

“We didn’t have the personnel to match them (in the air).

“But as long as they didn’t score on a setpiece.

“We did what we had to do to manage the challenge and we did manage it. I’m not happy with the goal we conceded, we could have dealt with it better. I think we defended much better in Bloemfontein (Wednesday’s 2-1 away win overt Celtic in the Absa Premiership) than we did today, to be honest.

“But we played ‘away’, we drew and we should not be ungrateful. We should take what we have been given,” he added.

The return leg is in Atteridgeville on Wednesday, September 18 (live on SuperSport).