Motsepe 'sleepless' over Downs' slide

21 Apr 2013 | KGOMOTSO SETHUSHA |

MAMELODI Sundowns boss Patrice Motsepe is having sleepless nights, the source of his discomfort being his club's poor performance.

PONDERING: Patrice Motsepe. Picture by Katherine Muick-Mere

"I find it difficult to sleep, that's my weakness," said Motsepe, who has invested millions of rand in the club, but it is apparently not repaying him with the desired dividends.
"I get very angry with myself because there are times when I'm thinking about the team's bad performance when I should be thinking about the businesses, the jobs ... poverty and other areas where the money is needed," said Motsepe this week.
It's been five years since the Tshwane giants last scooped a major trophy, a poor record for a team trying to conquer the continent.
Motsepe defended himself against criticism over the team's poor recruitment policy, saying he never chooses which players join the club.
Backing Downs coach Pitso Mosimane, he said: "You cannot employ a coach and not give him the players he wants. So, I've got to respect the coach and try and get him the players he needs."
However, the challenge to turn the highly paid pretenders into genuine contenders remains with Mosimane.
The team is currently going through its worst PSL season. Their ambitions have been reduced to a tricky battle for a top eight qualification.
Motsepe said: "At the end of the season it's all about winning. So whichever way you look at it, we haven't achieved.
"It happens to every team in the world, though. But we've got to keep asking fundamental questions: why are we not succeeding, why are we not performing as we should?
"In relation to the high standards I set for the club, we've not achieved those standards and it is important to review the situation in order to prepare better for the future," he said.
"After a certain period of time, you know your weaknesses and work on them. I'm quite confident we will come out of this. I always set myself high goals and football is part of my contribution to uplift this country.
"I didn't buy into Sundowns to make a profit but returns have been very poor," admits Motsepe."