“…As they say in football, numbers don’t lie. The amount of points
Sundowns have won, the amount of goals scored and conceded… don’t lie.
It reflects the current situation.” – Pitso Mosimane following his
appointment as Mamelodi Sundowns’ new coach.
As the saying goes, “you live by the sword, you die by the sword”.
It is only fair that I make judgements on Pitso based on the numbers.
Here’s eight statistical facts about Mosimane’s time at Mamelodi
Sundowns.
1. When Pitso Mosimane took over Sundowns, the team were second from
bottom in the Absa Premier League standings. They now lie in 8th
position.
2. Downs had won only 2 times from the opening 12 PSL games this season before Mosimane took over, a win ratio of 16.7%.
3. Downs have won 7 league games since Mosimane took over in 17 matches –
a ratio of 41.2%. That’s quite an improvement from the 16.2% achieved
by previous coach, Johan Neeskens.
4. Downs have only lost 3 games under Mosimane in the league, compared
to double that amount, six, under the Dutchman, Neeskens. This means
that Neeskens lost 50% of the matches that he was in charge this season
while Pitso has lost just under 18% of his games. To add some
perspective, Mosimane’s loss ratio is better (or not as bad) as the
overall ratio belonging to the team currently in 3rd position, reigning
PSL champs (at the time of writing), Orlando Pirates.
5. In the 17 years of the Premier League era, Mamelodi Sundowns have
actually previously failed to qualify for the Top 8 Competition. Yet,
Mosimane, having taken over a team that had endured the worst start in
Sundowns 17-year PSL history, has guided the Brazilians into a Top 8
position with one game left to spare. Furthermore, if results go their
way on the final day, Downs may even end up as high as 6th.
6. Downs have scored 21 goals since Mosimane took over. Mosimane has
been in charge for 17 games. Clearly, there is no need to the
calculations. This isn’t exactly the kind of scoring ratio Patrice
Motsepe is looking for a from team nicknamed “The Brazilians”.
7. Neeskens’ team conceded 13 goals in 12 matches compared to 12 goals
in 17 matches under Mosimane. The improvement is clear to see.
8. In the games in which Mosimane was in charge, is is a fact that Downs
undefeated against all the teams currently occupying the top three
positions in the PSL. In the process, Sundowns have only conceded one
goal against these teams. This good record includes matches against
champions-elect, Kaizer Chiefs, reigning champions Orlando Pirates, and
this season’s surprise package, Platinum Stars.
Having taken a look at Mosimane’s numbers (numbers that apparently
“don’t lie”), it is clear to see that the former Bafana Bafana coach has
really improved this Sundowns team and their results. Sundowns now lie
in a respectable position on the log. The team is performing much better
defensively (as we all know, defence is the foundation of most
successful teams) and, as I have already pointed out, of the teams above
them currently occupying the top 3 positions on the log, only Platinum
Stars have managed to score a goal against them. The players also look
more willing to play and break a sweat than they did under previous
coach, Johan Neeskens – this is obviously not something numbers can
prove, so feel free to disagree.
However, one thing is certain, Sundowns, the Izikhotane of the
Premier League, will end the season trophyless. Zero being the important
number. So despite managing to improve their league position, Pitso
Mosimane has failed to guide the team to the one trophy that was
realistically achievable when he took over in December 2012, the Nedbank
Cup.
This weekend, Downs will be playing against the team currently in
fourth position, Bidvest Wits, in their final league game, with the
opportunity to improve their current position on the league table. But
guiding a team from the relegation zone to 8th in 6 months still counts
as a decent shift from the a coach. This statistic alone should be
enough to keep him safe in the hot seat for another season (or the at
least the start of another season) at Chloorkop.
Interesting to note is that if Mosimane manages to last the whole of
next season as Downs coach, he will become only the second man, after
Johan Neeskens, to last a whole season since Patrice Motsepe took over
the club way back in 2003.
With money to spend during the off-season, a
clear-out on the cards, and a proper pre-season to get the team
well-accustomed to his tactics, dare I say it, the sky is the limit in
the 2013/14 season for the Brazilians.
Thomas Monyepao
Do follow me on Twitter @Tom_18yards
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