Downs give Shakes an assignment

30 August 2016 - 09:32 By MARK GLEESON

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane took the unusual step of a public forum to call for some of his club's league duties to be postponed and for his players to be left out of Bafana Bafana to prepare for their upcoming Caf Champions League semifinal. But he said he has not spoken to coach Shakes Mashaba about resting his players for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania on Friday. "When I was Bafana coach I left out Orlando Pirates players when they went to the final of the Champions League. Gordon Igesund also left them out when he was coach," said Mosimane.Mashaba called up five Sundowns players - Hlompho Kekana, Tebogo Langerman, Keegan Dolly, Thapelo Morena and Sibusiso Vilakazi - for the match on Friday and also for next Tuesday's friendly against Egypt at Orlando Stadium.The Brazilians, after beating Supersport United 3-1 in the MTN8 quarterfinal on Sunday, have a schedule of six matches in September but at least two of them have to be postponed.Their next outing will be on the September 10-11 weekend at Chippa United in the MTN8 first leg and then a league match at Maritzburg United on the 14th.Three days later, they meet Zesco United away in Zambia in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal, which clashes with their MTN8 second leg.On September 21, Sundowns are at home to Platinum Stars, three days before they host Zesco United in the second leg.The two midweek matches are the ones coach Mosimane wants postponed ...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.