27 February 2019, by: Thabang Kgeledi

PITSO v BENNI – COMPARING 2 OF SA’S BEST COACHES

Mamelodi Sundowns host Cape Town City in a crucial top of the table Absa Premiership clash on Wednesday evening. We contrast their respective coaches Pitso Mosimane and Benni McCarthy who are amongst the best soccer coaches in the country.

Benni Mccarthy and Pitso Mosimane seem to have a good relationship. That’s saying a lot seeing how Benni doesn’t get along with many people.

Watch carefully as down the tunnel @MaritzburgUtd vs @CapeTownCityFC over the weekend the benches go to war down the tunnel one official even gets grabbed by the neck during the battle pic.twitter.com/ss2gZ4LZHK

— Thomas Mlambo (@thomasmlambo) February 26, 2019

August 2018 – Mamelodi Sundowns lost their first MTN 8 semi-final first leg to Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld. Pitso Mosimane had nothing but praise for Benni McCarthy and his football.

“I think we should give credit to Benni he has done well. Good brand of football, not to win at all costs. It’s beautiful. It’s good for our country to see young coaches coming up and play like this,”

November 2018 – Former Sundowns player Bongani Zungu Tweeted, after impressive back-to-back wins by Pirates: “Coach Rulani has made Pirates a top team again! coach Rulani u the boss!”

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rulani Mokwena was Pitso Mosimane’s number two when Zungu was at Sundowns. In this tweet, he insinuated that Mokwena was ‘the boss’ at Pirates as he was ‘the boss’ at Mamelodi Sundowns.

Benni McCarthy came to Pitso Mosimane’s defence with a tweet of his own.

Wow didn’t expect u to have so little class my man @BonganiZungu08 disrespectful to coach Pitso for building your career so that you can succeed in Europe now you pushing assistant coach rulani to be the brains behind Pirates success,wow?Friends or not some respect Son ?

— Benni McCarthy (@bennimccarthy17) November 7, 2018

McCarthy Tweeted: “Wow didn’t expect u to have so little class my man @BonganiZungu08 disrespectful to coach Pitso for building your career so that you can succeed in Europe now you pushing assistant coach Rulani to be the brains behind Pirates success‚ wow Friends or not some respect Son”.

February 2019 – Ahead of their game tonight Pitso Mosimane said: “Cape Town City are a good team. Benni shows that he wants it‚ he puts his skin on it. Benni wants it and I see him as a future Bafana coach‚”

Pitso Mosimane sees a future Bafana Bafana coach in @CapeTownCityFC Benni McCarthy, Do you agree? ? pic.twitter.com/U2k6BGodAM

— ZoBo Football Blog (@ZoboFootball) February 26, 2019

Pitso Mosimane started at his coaching career at Supersport United in 2001 where he coached a competitive team. He then became the South African men’s national team assistant coach from 2006-2010. After the 2010 World Cup, SAFA decided to give him the head coaching job, he lasted only a couple of years. In 2012 he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns.

On 13 June 2017, McCarthy was unveiled as the new Cape Town City head coach, replacing Eric Tinkler. It was a gamble for John Comitis because McCarthy had only one season experience as an assistant in the Belgian league.

Mamelodi Sundowns have a wealth of talent. Pitso Mosimane plays with two defensive midfielders, two ball playing-attacking fullbacks, and four attackers. He likes intelligent attacking midfielders who play quick one-two’s in between the lines. Those Number 10’s play narrow whilst his fullback provide the width.

McCarthy said his favourite coach is Jose Mourinho as he played under him at Porto in Portugal. Benni Mccarthy plays pragmatic football like his idol. Solid at the back, athletic ball-winners in the midfield, and effective attackers.

Mamelodi Sundowns are third of the table two points behind Bidvest Wits with two games in hand. A win will see them leapfrog the Clever Boys into the first position. Cape Town City are fourth on the log three points behind Sundowns a win by three goals would see them go ahead of the Brazilians.

Sundowns have drawn two of their last three league games whilst City has won eight of their last ten games in all competitions. They are a team in form. However, the Citizens aren’t good traveller’s, they’re averaging 2.1 goals per game in their last 10 but only 0.7 goals in their last 10 away matches. They lost their last away game against Amazulu 1-0 and they got lucky to come away with a win at the FNB stadium against Kaizer Chiefs in the away game before that.

I’d go with the odds and put my money of Mamelodi Sundowns to win this game.

BET: Mamelodi Sundowns v Cape Town City