Pitso defends Pieterse after Sundowns debut error

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has leapt to the defence of new goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse saying ‘even David de Gea makes mistakes’ following the keeper’s error in the 3-3 draw with AmaZulu.

Pieterse was signed from SuperSport United in the off-season, but his quest to challenge Denis Onyango for the No 1 shirt at Downs got off to a rocky start as the South African shot-stopper produced an unconvincing performance on his debut.

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After conceding an early goal in Durban, Downs hit back with two goals by Phakamani Mahlambi and Toni Silva. However, Usuthu were then gifted an equaliser as Pieterse misjudged a cross, which saw the ball bounce off his leg before Jabulani Ncubeni smashed home the rebound.

Cavin Johnson’s team went on to take the lead again before a late Sibusiso Vilakazi strike earned a point for the defending champions.

Speaking after the game, Pitso defended his keeper by highlighting the difficulties that accompany the position.

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‘I have seen Petr Cech making that kind of mistake, I’ve seen De Gea making similar mistakes. I’ve seen Denis Onyango making the same mistake,’ Mosimane told SuperSport TV.

‘I’ve seen Itumeleng Khune making a mistake … He [Pieterse] is allowed to make a mistake. [Razak] Brimah made a mistake here. So, who doesn’t make mistakes?

‘Unfortunately, when a goalkeeper makes a mistake, he is the last man you know, we should understand that,’ he concluded.

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Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

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Dean Workman