Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed the secret behind his successful trophy haul in his coaching career.

Mosimane is one of the longest serving and highly rated coaches in South African football, having won several major trophies with SuperSport United between 2001 and 2007 which includes the SAA Super 8 Trophy in 2004 and the Nedbank Cup in 2005.

Pitso has delivered the League title on 4 occasions for Mamelodi Sundowns.

He won the CAF Champions League with Sundowns in 2016 and the CAF Super Cup in 2017. He also has won the Nedbank Cup once and the Telkom trophy on two occasions.

Mosimane tells IOL Sport, that his philosophy of dismantling everything before he rebuilds has worked for him.

“I had a chance to dismantle SuperSport United. I had a chance to dismantle the Bafana Bafana team and start the new Bafana. Not completely new, yes – remember there was Matthew Booth, Aaron Mokoena, Macbeth Sibaya and Bhele (Siyabonga) Nomvethe.

“I had to change few things and it was difficult for me to change names, but I had to do it. That’s what also happened at Sundowns when I got here. I had 10 games to save the team and thereafter we introduced changes.

“I bought 11 players. People said what’s new, Sundowns always do this. I didn’t worry about that. But I wanted to bring players that will fit into how I wanted to play. Johan Neeskens was playing the Barcelona way. You can play the Barcelona way but you must have Lionel Messi. You must have Luis Suarez and Neymar. So, I had to change the concept to fit with local football.”

Mosimane has inculcated the spirit of hard work and a humble lifestyle in his players. This according to Pisto is the reason behind the 9 trophies won since joining the Brazilians in 2012.

“I also made sure that I keep the dressing room a little bit quiet. I worked more on the culture of winning. We don’t play for fun at Sundowns. We play to win. I wanted us to fight to win and respect the badge,” he said.

‘It mustn’t be that flashy team that is showing off the cars we have, the kind of expensive clothes we wear. I spoke to them, I said football players are measured on what they do on the field of play. Secondary is what kind of shoes you are wearing. At the end of the day, it is about winning and results,” Mosimane articulated.

“I brought the football fitness trainer at the club. KB (Kabelo Rangoaga) is a football specific trainer. You can get a lot of trainers at Virgin Active but we wanted a football specific trainer. They played with two number 10s and one number six and I changed that. I played with two sixes and one 10 and that gave us balance.”

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer