"...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.
By Thomas Monyepao
Do
follow me on Twitter @Tom_18yards
