PRETORIA – MANCHESTER City offering Manchester United tips to return to winning ways or Inter sympathising with AC Milan sympathising with AC Milan on their struggles in the Serie A?

Inconceivable!

But for Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane, there is nothing amiss about him encouraging his cross-city rivals, University of Pretoria, as they battle against relegation.

AmaTuks are facing the prospect of relegation with Sundowns recently inflicting more misery with a 2-1 defeat of the varsity side at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The negative results leave AmaTuks stuck on 15th on the 16-team table, while Downs are top of the standings.

Mosimane discloses he visited his nemesis’ dressing room to offer encouragement to under-pressure coach, Sammy Troughton, and his players.

“I said to them, ‘guys, I don’t know if you played like this because it is a local derby but if you give this effort you won’t lose easily’. I want to warn whoever goes to them to be very careful if they think Tuks are pushovers,” Mosimane says.

Such empathy suggests Sundowns might loan out-of-favour midfielders Lebogang Mokoena and Lindokuhle Mbatha to University of Pretoria.

The pair has been strongly linked with a move across town.

While AmaTuks are singing the blues, the mood is cheerful at The Brazilians.

Halfway into the campaign, Sundowns are showing no signs of relinquishing their position at the summit.

Mosimane received a confidence boost after he was awarded the Coach of the Month award for November-December after steering Sundowns to a ten-game unbeaten run, prior to their win over Supersport United this past weekend, in the Absa