Pitso Mosimane Thembinkosi Lorch

Pitso Mosimane (Coach of Sundowns) during the Mamelodi Sundowns press conference at Lucas Moripe Stadium on May 03, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Pitso Mosimane bemoans bad timing of Tshwane Derby

Pitso Mosimane and his Mamelodi Sundowns charges will have to be at the top of their game early on, as they square off against rivals Supersport United in their season opener.

Pitso Mosimane Thembinkosi Lorch

Pitso Mosimane (Coach of Sundowns) during the Mamelodi Sundowns press conference at Lucas Moripe Stadium on May 03, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

Mamelodi Sundowns begin their title defence with one of the bigger fixtures in the local soccer calender, but coach Pitso Mosimane would have preferred it another way.

The nine-time PSL winners host city rivals Supersport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium first up, as they look to claim a third consecutive title for the second time in the modern era.

They will not have the fondest memories of this fixture, as it was against the Tshwane outfit, where they almost saw their title charge in the previous season almost derailed.

Why Pitso is not looking forward to the Tshwane Derby

Fresh off securing a Caf Champions League semifinal spot with a 5-1 aggregate score against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Mosimane and his men were soon brought back to Earth as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of their neighbours.

This was thanks to goals from Grant Kekana and Ghampani Lungu.

The result is apparently still playing in the former Bafana coach’s mind, who told reporters he was not looking forward to the match. 

“I do not like this match because it comes at a wrong time for us – we are not ready,” Mosimane said.

“When we played SuperSport last year, it was just after returning from a Champions League match in Egypt, and we lost 2-0.”

Pitso Mosimane

Expect extra fireworks in PSL opener

The upcoming edition of the Tshwane Derby could feature some extra needle, resulting from transfer activity between these two sides.

In the early days of the off-season, Supersport chairman Stan Matthews revealed that Sundowns had made offers for two of the club’s standout players, Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena.

Both bids were rejected, and the pair is set to remain at the club for another season.

Matsatsansa have so far added three players to their squad in ex-Orlando Pirates duo Thamsanqa Gabuza and Kudakwashe Mahachi, and Jesse Donn, who signed from first division outfit Ubuntu Cape Town.

Sundowns, on the other hand, have had a relatively quiet transfer window, confirming only one signing so far, despite strong links to others.

The club has welcomed Uruguayan striker Mauricio Affonso – the only player to be officially unveiled – while believed to have also signed defender Nyiko Mobbie from the relegated Free State Stars.

The Brazilians have also been closely linked with a return of Kaizer Chiefs winger Khama Billiat to the club.

The Tshwane Derby kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday.