Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has urged the club to be patient as they strive to build a dynasty like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Mamelodi Sundowns have been the dominant force in South African football in recent years, winning the last six league titles. They also reached the CAF Champions League semi-final twice but have not won the continent’s top club competition since 2016.
Mosimane believes that Sundowns have the potential to become one of the biggest clubs in Africa, but they need to be patient and consistent.
“When I came to Sundowns, they’re last six to seven years, they changed coaches every year,” Pitso Mosimane told Abu Dhabi Sports TV channel.
“So if you keep changing coaches every year, are you saying the problem is the coach?” Look at something else: maybe the players or the management are the problem.
“I came over and became the coach for eight at Sundowns. I’m more blessed. I won them the Champions League in only two and a half years.”
The Al Wahda mentor gave an example of French giants PSG, who have dominated the local league but struggled in the UEFA Champions League.
“PSG haven’t won the Champions League with all the big-name players because they change coaches every year. It was the same story at Sundowns till I came. I stayed longer. I played against all the big teams in Africa: Al Ahly, ES Tunis, Wydad, Raja etc.”
He believes football people are generally impatient; “they change coaches every year.”
Mosimane spent eight years at the Brazilians, delivering five league titles and the CAF Champions League before moving to Egypt. In Cairo, ‘Jingles’ added Champions League titles.
“Sundowns will get it. They’re behaving like Man City and Pep Guardiola. How long did it take them? Sundowns have to be patient with their current coach. The current coaches were with me. They were my assistant coaches.”
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Mosimane picks three of “the best teams in Africa to win the Champions League”. Interestingly, two are his former clubs, Al Ahly and Sundowns. The third is Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, who beat him in the final of the 2022 edition.
Mosimane is convinced Sundowns have the right ingredients in place to be successful. They have a strong squad with a good mix of youth and experience. The South African champions also have a strong financial backing.
“Sundowns will win the Champions League, but how do you win it when you have Al Ahly with so much experience?” Al Ahly just knows how to win the Champions League.”
Sundowns will be looking to continue their dominance of DStv Premiership football this season. They will also hope to make a deep run in the CAF Champions League.