Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane, recently shared his valuable insights on the team’s failure to beat Wydad Casablanca in the Caf Champions League semi-final. Despite having a chance to outshine the weaker Moroccan team, the Sundowns could not capitalize on their opportunities, leading to their elimination from the prestigious tournament.
Sundowns’ Promising Start and Disappointing Finish
The South African team had a promising start in the semi-final, drawing 0-0 in the first leg. However, they lost their momentum in the second leg, eventually resulting in a 2-2 draw with Wydad Casablanca at Loftus Versfeld. This unfortunate outcome dashed their hopes of winning the Champions League, a competition they were once tipped to win.
Mosimane’s Critique of Mokwena’s Approach
Mosimane, who has won the Caf Champions League three times, believes that Rulani Mokwena should have adopted a different approach to the semi-final. He expressed his disappointment in Goal.com, saying, “This was the weakest Wydad that I have ever seen in the last five years. It is not even the Wydad that we played that beat us at Al Ahly.” Mosimane argues that it takes more than an attractive style of play to win high-stakes matches.
The Importance of Player and Coach Maturity
Mosimane believes that a combination of player and coach maturity is essential in reaching and winning finals. He cited Inter Milan’s journey to the Uefa Champions League final as an example. The Italian team defied expectations by outperforming heavyweights such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern München. Mosimane emphasized, “It is not about how good you are. It is about doing the right thing at the right time.”
The Significance of Adaptability in High-Stakes Matches
Mosimane further illustrated his point by referring to Pep Guardiola’s tactical shift during the Champions League final against Inter Milan. The Manchester City coach made a crucial decision to introduce a center-back immediately after his team scored, demonstrating the importance of adaptability in high-stakes matches.
Learning from Shortcomings
As the head coach of Al Wahda, Mosimane is now keen on applying his vast experience and knowledge to guide his new team towards success. As the Sundowns reflect on their Champions League journey, they can learn from Mosimane’s insights and shortcomings. Only then can they hope to overcome the challenges that lie ahead and reclaim their place among the continent’s elite football clubs.
