JOHANNESBURG - Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosiamane has backed local coaches to do well when given a fair chance in the country’s top-flight football, especially from a perspective of the so-called big five: Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Supersport United and Bidvest Wits.
Supersport recently gave Keitano Tembo the permanent role of head coach after holding various positions within the club for almost two decades. His first real test will be to ensure that they successfully defend their MTN8 Trophy when they open their campaign away to Orlando Pirates on Saturday (with kick-off at 20:15).
“He’s got his tactics right so far,’’ Mosimane said during Sundowns’ MTN8 media open day ahead of their match against Golden Arrows on Saturday. “We can’t judge him after only playing his first game of which he lost; after all, we all lose against Cape Town City in their backyard. I think they must give him a chance at the club, the same chance they gave Stuart Baxter when he was there when we beat them 5-0.’’
The past three seasons have set a good pedigree of local coaches clinching the MTN8 title. Roger de Sa (Ajax Cape Town), Gavin Hunt (Bidvest Wits) and Eric Tinkler (Supersport) have all won the trophy. In the past five seasons, Mosimane has represented the locals well in the Absa Premiership as he claimed the championship twice, while Brit Baxter has also won the title twice and Hunt has won it once.
“I think as black coaches, the guillotine is just close to the neck,’’ Mosimane insisted. “Once loss and a draw, then 'no…no..no, we don’t have confidence in this guy'. It’s important for me to fight for our local coaches because if they don’t make it, then no one trusts them. But when someone comes from anywhere around the world, and then they are given 10-12 games.
"You can name a lot of coaches that have not been given a fair chance, Dan Malesela, Mandla Ncikazi, Manqoba Mngqithi and many others. But I am happy with how Hunt, and Steve Komphela (Bloemfontein Celtic coach) have started in the league, that gives us confidence.’’
📅 TRAINING PLAN FOR THE WEEK:
Wednesday 💤🏃♂️
Thursday 💪🏋️
Friday 💤
Saturday ⚽MTN8: Golden Arrows - Sundowns
Sunday 🏠 pic.twitter.com/fUE07dnhwW
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 8, 2018
@Mihlalibaleka