Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed the controversial tactic that kept the Masandawana dressing room sober during his time at the club.
Mosimane, South Africa’s most decorated coach, recently spoke out about alcohol use in football, calling it a “social enhancer” that should not be abused.
The former Bafana Bafana coach’s comments come in the wake of several high-profile incidents of alcohol abuse among footballers. In recent years, several DStv Premiership players have been arrested for drunk driving or public intoxication. These incidents have led to calls for stricter controls on alcohol use in football.
MOSIMANE’S TACTIC: A COMBINATION OF MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND PLAYER LEADERSHIP
However, Mosimane mastered a way of dealing with it during his eight-year tenure at Sundowns and has shared it. In addressing alcohol abuse, he challenged the club’s medical team to take ownership of the issue. The next step was implementing breathalysers, which he had to manage discreetly to avoid causing unnecessary tension.
“Have structures within the team that deal with those issues. That’s where management fails. The medical team, I was challenging them, [to say] this is your space. I must train the team. Everybody did the breathalyser, [but] I had to hide it. I didn’t want it to come out the wrong way,” said Mosimane in an interview on TimesLive’s SportsLive with BBK.
Mosimane also credits a culture of accountability fostered by veteran players like Tiyani Mabunda, Hlompho Kekana, Wayne Arendse and Themba Zwane for keeping alcohol issues at bay. Mosimane relied on these “generals” to address problems within the team, like potential alcohol abuse. If an issue arose, the likes of Kekana or Arendse would step in and handle it.
“My strength has always been the dressing room. The generals who coach the team in the dressing room. [Tiyani] Mabunda coaches the dressing room. Mshishi [Themba Zwane] doesn’t miss training. The breathalyser doesn’t come anywhere near him. The minute it comes out, generals must know, and they’ll say, we’ll take care of it…
“Those generals are true generals; they know their job. I didn’t go [to address the alcohol issue] because it’s sorted. They’ll tell him [whoever comes to training under the influence of alcohol], you see, I’m in my 30s. I want to go as long as I can. I need you. If you’re not doing well, it affects me, and my contract will end. Please help me. I need to finish paying for the house.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF ROLE MODELS
Mosimane also believes it is important for players to have strong role models.
“One of the most important things you have to have role models because people learn from seeing others who’ve gone ahead,” Mosimane said. “That’s how we grew up. If there’s no role model, when ex-players have nothing to show, the ones who play now will never listen.”
Mosimane’s tactic is controversial because it involves breathalysers, which some people see as an invasion of privacy. However, it is also effective, as evidenced by Sundowns’ success during his time at the club. Mosimane’s reliance on player leadership is also commendable, as it shows that he trusts his players to make good decisions.
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