Pitso Mosimane delighted with Caf award nomination

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane heads a list of the club’s personnel up for big accolades at the upcoming Caf Awards.

The 55-year-old is nominated for the Coach of the Year award, an accolade he first picked up in 2016 after guiding the Tshwane giants to glory in the Caf Champions League.

Mamelodi Sundowns trio up for big award

Nominated along their mentor, are two of the club’s longest-serving players in goalkeeper Denis Onyango and winger Themba Zwane, as well as former Sundowns player Percy Tau.

Mosimane said he didn’t want to get ahead of himself, with regards to the nomination.

“Firstly, I’d say congratulations to Denis, Themba Zwane and Percy Tau… he’s still our boy, for being nominated in that space because they have done well. Themba Zwane was the top scorer in the Champions League last year. He had a fantastic run, myself included,” Mosimane told SABC Sport.

“None of those people I have mentioned has been nominated because they have done well for themselves. We have been nominated for the team because without the team, we, as coaches, can just play big or whatever but we don’t play.

“The players play but I’m humbled. I appreciate being acknowledged. For me, it’s to be acknowledged. When you are acknowledged it’s important. When you win it, it’s a cherry on top.

“I was nominated with Micho (Milutin Sredojevic) and coach Ibenge, I think he was the coach of Esperance in 2016. I got it but just be humble. As long as the continent acknowledges us… Themba Zwane, Denis Onyango, Percy and me, I think that’s enough. “We just represent the club. We are the ones on the pedestal but people who make the stage are these guys (the players).”

Pitso Mosimane

Pitso Mosimane seeks second Caf title

Mosimane led Sundowns to a second consecutive league title, his fourth in total, and guided them to a semi-final finish at the last Caf Champions League tournament.

He has managed to secure qualification to the main draw of the competition once more, where they are South Africa’s only representative.

Sundowns take to the field on Saturday when they face Petro de Luanda from Angola.

They could be without a star player in Zwane, who is recovering from a niggle picked up before the international break.

Kick off is at 21:00 (SAST).