Cup win first step for Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believes Friday night's Nedbank Cup win over Ajax Cape Town is another positive step in the rebuilding of his side.
Since taking over from Johann Neeskens late last year, Mosimane has overseen a change in fortunes for the talented but under-performing team.
Downs came into the match on the back of a league stale-mate with lowly Golden Arrows, and Mosimane was pleased to see his players showing character as they bounced back with a cup triumph.
"It was a good game, a tough game. It's a cup you know, end to end," he said.
"I was a bit worried with my players' legs because I didn't change the line-up for four games in a row."
"They need a tongue-lashing sometimes. And they responded, With pride and with integrity, with consistency. They fought - this team is strong, it sends a message, we are getting there."
"I hope the dice rolls well for us with a Castle League team [in the next round, the last 16]. But it's good for PSL football [the Ajax game], this is lovely, beautiful football. We are learning and gaining confidence."
Home coach Jan Versleijen saw some positive signs from the game which he hopes will translate into the Cape side climbing away from the foot of the table in the league.
"This was a real cup game. In these games you can see the true character, and I can see the character that we need to fight and stay in the PSL," said Versleijen.
"We don't [shouldn't] have to be in the position where we are now in the PSL, but that probably has to do with the character we have to show.
"Playing nice football is ok, but if you are playing for survival, playing like every game a final, that's what we have to, like in this cup, then we don't have to worry about staying in the PSL, if we show this character."
