Pitso Mosimane of Sundowns during the Premier Soccer League 2018/19 football match between Supersport United and Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria PHOTO: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Pitso Mosimane of Sundowns during the Premier Soccer League 2018/19 football match between Supersport United and Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria PHOTO: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Pitso unsatisfied with pitch condition in Sundowns draw with ASEC

Following Mamelodi Sundowns goalless draw with ASEC Mimosas on Wednesday, Pitso Mosimane was unhappy with the state of the pitch.

Pitso Mosimane of Sundowns during the Premier Soccer League 2018/19 football match between Supersport United and Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria PHOTO: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Pitso Mosimane of Sundowns during the Premier Soccer League 2018/19 football match between Supersport United and Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria PHOTO: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane was critical of the state of the pitch at Saint Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in the Ivory Coast, were his side were held to a goalless draw by hosts Asec Mimosas on Tuesday.

The point earned sees the Brazilians topping Group A with seven points, tied with Wydad Casablanca, while Asec and Nigerian champions, Lobi Stars are also level on four points with two matches to go before the knockout stage.

The men from Pretoria were victorious over the Ivorians at home, but struggled to gain ascendancy in Abidjan, something Mosimane put down the condition of the pitch.

“The conditions are difficult for anybody to come here,” he told reporters after the match.

“I don’t think that Wydad will survive here. They’re also technical, they will struggle with the ball bouncing. The humidity will also be a challenge for them. It was too hot for us. We survived. I think that they’ll beat Wydad, and Asec can also win in Lobi Stars.”

Sundowns were outclassed by Lobi Stars on their previous visit to West Africa, but managed to limit the damage to a one-goal losing margin as they were beaten 2-1 in Enugu.

They bounced back with two consecutive home wins, beating 2017 champions Wydad 2-1 before thrashing Asec 3-1 at Loftus Versfeld early this month.

Although they would have fancied their chances of a double against the Ivorians, they found the going tough this time around.

“We couldn’t come to Asec and play like we’re intelligent people,” Mosimane said.

“I said it before in the pre-match press conference that we come with respect to Asec. But I always knew – because I watched their game in Morocco, I watched their game against Lobi Stars, and I also watched the game we played against them – once or twice they make mistakes at the back and give the ball away.”

“So we knew that they have wrong passes sometimes at the back and it’s dangerous. But on the opposite side, they are very good on set-pieces. We were fortunate that they had a striker who was suspended, because if he had played, they are strong upfront. We knew that we had to monitor their attack well. If you do that well, then you’re okay.”

Mamelodi Sundowns now take a bit of a break, as they are not involved in the Nedbank Cup last 16 action, before resuming their league campaign with a home match against Polokwane City on Tuesday, 19 February.