THE extent of the early season pressure on champions Mamelodi Sundowns to register a first victory of the season was clearly articulated by coach Pitso Mosimane after a comprehensive 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows on Wednesday.
"We needed the win to break the ice. The players have felt the tension and stress. They were nervous," he revealed after Sundowns got a much-needed morale boost.
Having started the season with a home defeat in the MTN8 quarterfinal and then failing to win their first two league matches, Sundowns went into Wednesday's game feeling the heat.
A small group of fans had already threatened physical violence and demanded Mosimane's removal, even though it is only a few months since Sundowns ended a seven-year drought and landed the league title.
"I am a professional, I know how to handle it," the coach said. "We all have to calm down."
It is rare for any club, even defending champions, to look so pressured after just three games of the season but Sundowns seemed to have the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders after Wednesday's win.
"We were under pressure to win and to take three points from Dobsonville is not easy," added Mosimane.
"For clubs like Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates the pressure will always be there. There is no patience."
It was once again a dominant display of possession from Sundowns but this time they made the breakthrough in front of goal, albeit after a first half of chances squandered in a hurry.
"If we take half the chances we create, we could go over 65 goals for the season," the coach added.
Pitso relieved to see Downs get off mark
THE extent of the early season pressure on champions Mamelodi Sundowns to register a first victory of the season was clearly articulated by coach Pitso Mosimane after a comprehensive 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows on Wednesday.
"We needed the win to break the ice. The players have felt the tension and stress. They were nervous," he revealed after Sundowns got a much-needed morale boost.
Having started the season with a home defeat in the MTN8 quarterfinal and then failing to win their first two league matches, Sundowns went into Wednesday's game feeling the heat.
A small group of fans had already threatened physical violence and demanded Mosimane's removal, even though it is only a few months since Sundowns ended a seven-year drought and landed the league title.
"I am a professional, I know how to handle it," the coach said. "We all have to calm down."
It is rare for any club, even defending champions, to look so pressured after just three games of the season but Sundowns seemed to have the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders after Wednesday's win.
"We were under pressure to win and to take three points from Dobsonville is not easy," added Mosimane.
"For clubs like Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates the pressure will always be there. There is no patience."
It was once again a dominant display of possession from Sundowns but this time they made the breakthrough in front of goal, albeit after a first half of chances squandered in a hurry.
"If we take half the chances we create, we could go over 65 goals for the season," the coach added.
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