Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has joined the debate about different playing styles, saying he prefers to win ugly than losing with beautiful football.
The debate has been simmering in football, not just in South Africa, with coaches such as Pep Guardiola and Rulani Mokwena attempting to win, while impressing onlookers with the style of play.
However, for Mokwena and Sundowns it meant an exit from the CAF Champions League this season, despite being seen as favourites to win the continental showpiece after their 5-2 impressive win over Al Ahly in the group stages.
Mosimane has joined in on the debate, saying in the end of the day a coach’s job is to win trophies, especially at big clubs.
“There are times when I used to play to try and just win to just win. There are times where I used to love to play beautiful football and still lose,” Mosimane told Skepe Matsebane on POWERSportExtra.
“I remember at SuperSport United when we played well but sometimes we lose and you sulk, you come to the TV or interview and say ‘the better team lost’, we played well and all that but who cares? It’s about results.
“Of course you want to win in a good way, in a nice way, in a fashionable way. You want to win like that but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to win because there are games that are more important to win than the way you play.
“And there are games that you can see this one is a free-flowing one and we can express ourselves, we can do well. Yes some take it but it’s maturity also and experience. We learn we grow.
“You can hear the coach of Orlando Pirates, he is experienced, he is matured and don’t say much say less.
“What are you playing for? Who remembers second best? If I ask you in 2008 who was second in the MTN 8, you don’t remember. Who cares? So you must win the trophy.
“Your job is to win a trophy, especially when you are at Pirates, you are at Sundowns, you are at Chiefs, those big clubs. You can’t expect Sekhukhune to win the league.
“Yes Cups are Cups, you know four games. You know you can lose all the league games in a month and win the Cup games, and you can win a Cup. It has happened to many teams.
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“But at Pirates, Sundowns and Chiefs also there is Africa, there is the PSL, there is a Cup and there is travelling. And one thing that people misunderstand is that Africa is a very difficult tournament.”
