Title race is in Pirates’ hands – Pitso Mosimane

Thapelo Morena of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Mthokozisi Dube of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 01 April 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday May 02, 2019. 16:30

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says Orlando Pirates have the Absa Premiership title race in their hands heading into the last two rounds of the 2018/19 season.

Sundowns drew level with Pirates at the top of the log when they won their catch-up match 2-1 away to Black Leopards on Tuesday.

However, the Buccaneers have a superior goal difference to the Brazilians (+17 to +13) and Mosimane believes the Soweto side have the inside lane to the championship.

“I was really upset with the goal they [Leopards] scored, especially at that time. But you’ve got to understand that they [the Sundowns players] are a little bit tired and they want to get the game over with it. So what can we do? Sometimes you can’t have the cake and eat it. You’ve got to be grateful and not sound selfish,” Mosimane said after the match.

“They fought and worked very hard and they’ve been travelling, from Rabat to Thohoyandou. Let’s be honest, it’s unbelievable."

He continued: “It’s a bit difficult when you have issues like this, of goals. I mean it’s not in our hands, it’s in Pirates’ hands. It’s not going to be easy. It’s possible, but it’s not going to be easy to get the goals.

"But as I told you, Sundowns will win the league next year even if we do not win it this year. We’ll be more settled, and I still say we are a team in construction. The departure of Khama [Billiat] and Percy [Tau], we can feel that departure but the boys are going.”

Sundowns will be in CAF Champions League action on Saturday when they host Wydad Casablanca in the return leg of a semifinal tie.