MAMELODI Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens says he is elated at his team's weekend victory, hailing it as an important achievement at a crucial point of the season.
However, he said he was still convinced the title would not be decided until the end of the campaign.
The 3-0 away win over Ajax Cape Town in Newlands kept Sundowns firmly in command in the Absa Premiership race with 10 matches to go, the next of which is against Orlando Pirates tomorrow night.
And with key stars Teko Modise, Elias Pelembe and perhaps most crucially Katlego Mphela getting goals in the win against the Urban Warriors, Neeskens will feel his side is on the verge of hitting top form with a third of the season to go.
"It was important to win today, not only because Orlando Pirates had almost caught up with us but because we had drawn our three matches before that. If you give away unnecessary points, you are always going to be under pressure," he said.
He cited the recent home draws against Jomo Cosmos and BidVest Wits as setbacks. "It was so disappointing for us because we were so much better, but I was not angry with my players because at least they were creating chances.
Neeskens, in his first season with Sundowns, said he was not concerned with the chasing pack who are snapping at his side's heels. "My philosophy is that take care of your team, and if you are in the lead then just make sure you stay there."
But the Dutch World Cup star refused to be tempted into any predictions even with a four-point lead going into midweek matches.
"In the last weeks of the season everybody can still be in the race. In this league if you don't have a good game, then somebody else can take your place. I don't want to talk about the championship now. There are still six or seven teams still challenging."
- Lamontville Golden Arrows went berserk when they trounced Maritzburg United 4-1 in a KwaZulu-Natal derby at Princess Magogo Stadium in another match on Saturday.
Neeskens won't blow his trumpet
MAMELODI Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens says he is elated at his team's weekend victory, hailing it as an important achievement at a crucial point of the season.
However, he said he was still convinced the title would not be decided until the end of the campaign.
The 3-0 away win over Ajax Cape Town in Newlands kept Sundowns firmly in command in the Absa Premiership race with 10 matches to go, the next of which is against Orlando Pirates tomorrow night.
And with key stars Teko Modise, Elias Pelembe and perhaps most crucially Katlego Mphela getting goals in the win against the Urban Warriors, Neeskens will feel his side is on the verge of hitting top form with a third of the season to go.
"It was important to win today, not only because Orlando Pirates had almost caught up with us but because we had drawn our three matches before that. If you give away unnecessary points, you are always going to be under pressure," he said.
He cited the recent home draws against Jomo Cosmos and BidVest Wits as setbacks. "It was so disappointing for us because we were so much better, but I was not angry with my players because at least they were creating chances.
Neeskens, in his first season with Sundowns, said he was not concerned with the chasing pack who are snapping at his side's heels. "My philosophy is that take care of your team, and if you are in the lead then just make sure you stay there."
But the Dutch World Cup star refused to be tempted into any predictions even with a four-point lead going into midweek matches.
"In the last weeks of the season everybody can still be in the race. In this league if you don't have a good game, then somebody else can take your place. I don't want to talk about the championship now. There are still six or seven teams still challenging."