Pitso Mosimane hailed Mamelodi Sundowns for their Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup triumphs during a period of two years of football non-stop.
Masandawana fell short in their quest to retain the Absa Premiership title, conceding defeat to Bidvest Wits in the penultimate game of the season, but Mosimane revealed his satisfaction at sides exploits.
“We played two years of soccer without a break, and participated in the Champions League four years in a row,” he told the club’s website.
“First I want to congratulate the boys for showing a positive attitude throughout.
“They put their bodies on the line for the team, and did everything to win because they know that Sundowns is an ambitious club that wants to win trophies and they know the theme. They really did exceptionally well,” he added.
The former Bafana Bafana mentor also extended his gratitude to the Sundowns fanbase.
“Let me also congratulate the yellow nation. The mentality has changed.
“In the past they would have thrown vuvuzelas when the team lost and be very angry. Against Baroka, they supported the team throughout and sang even after the game had ended in a draw,” he continued.
Mosimane pointed out both individual and team accolades garnered and reminded Sundowns that there season was a huge success despite their lack of dominance on the local front.
“I was voted CAF coach of the Year, the club won Team of the Year, so what more could one ask for?
“We would be ungrateful to demand more, and might suggest we don’t cherish these achievements?
“We won the Champions League and Super Cup, and gained valuable experience playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. We can’t win everything and our supporters have accepted this.
“It can’t be a bad season and they accompanied the team to various countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe and Japan. Life has been good for them,” he added.
Sundowns face Tunisian giants Esperance on Friday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in their third Champions League fixture, having won one and drawn one thus far in their campaign.
Photo: Gavin Barker/Backpagepix