We will do it our way – Mokwena.

After Mamelodi Sundowns' semi-final exit from the CAF Champions League in the hands of holders, Wydad Athletic Club, the issue of tactics and style of play has come to the fore.

The feeling is, after Sundowns had taken a 2-1 lead towards the end of the game, closing shop would have been a better tactic.

To win, in short, coach Rulani Mokwena could have opted to sacrifice the soul of Sundowns, and play a bit 'ugly'.

But the Brazilians tactician is adamant that such will not happen anytime soon.

According to Mokwena, Sundowns have a game model that is deeply ingrained in their genes, and eventually, they will win the CAFCL playing their way.

"When we don’t win, we open the door for a lot of the talk," Mokwena told iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-not-ready-to-sacrifice-sundowns-and-own-principles/

"The topic of style of play is a very interesting topic. But it’s a topic that has been posed, not just to me so I have to understand that, first and foremost. Even greater and more successful coaches have had to answer that question.

"What I know and what I respect is that there’s more than just one way to win – but there’s also more than one way to live life and football being what it is; a reflection of society, in the bad, you’re not good enough, in the good, you’re probably still not good enough and that’s the judgment because there are others that feel they can do it different or better."

ALSO READ: Cape Town City transfer market business already sorted, according to Eric Tinkler: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/city-done-transfer-market-deals-done.html?m=1

Mokwena says they have tried different ways in the tournament before, including the use of percentage football, which did not yield any positive results.

In that case, he wants to give the Sundowns style of play a fair chance.

“But I think we’ve done it the pragmatic way a couple of times and it also hasn’t worked, we’ve done it the percentage football way and it also hasn’t worked, so let’s give this [style of play], let’s give it a little bit of time before you cast judgment.”

The coach will surprise us again - Vandenbroeck on Mokwena.

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Wydad AC this afternoon at Loftus Versfeld in a CAF Champions League second leg semi-final encounter.

The two sides played to a goalless draw in Morocco last weekend, which left the fixture wide open.

Wydad coach, Sven Vandenbroeck, is wary of the Sundowns tactical approach, which he says has too many variations and hard to predict.

Vandenbroeck says Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola's influence is evident in the Sundowns team, with coach Rulani Mokwena being an admirer of the Spanish tactician.

Sundowns play a fluid brand of football that leaves opposition chasing shadows for most parts of the game.

"Coach Rulani, he’s [been] following Pep Guardiola for a long period, so he has a lot of variations [of tactics], in Morocco, he tried one and I think he has another three or four [variations]. So yes it’s a lot of work [to try and compete against him], that’s why two weeks work or three days preparation is sometimes not enough," said Vandenbroeck as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/wydad-coach-on-rulanis-guardiola-references/

"You can give a lot of information to players, but you cannot cover everything, so even tomorrow (Saturday) in the game, we will be very concentrated on what we’re doing, observing what they are doing, and trying to find solutions."

Vandenbroeck expects Mokwena to come up with more tactical surprises this afternoon.

ALSO READ: Al Ahly to win their 11th CAFCL title?
https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/al-ahly-to-take-their-throne-back.html?m=1

"The problem in Morocco was there were 60 to 70 thousand [fans] and the players can’t hear you all the time so we had to wait until half-time to rectify things but then the red card came, so we didn’t have to [change] with one man more… But I’m pretty sure tomorrow (Saturday) the coach will surprise us again."

Kick-off the will be at 15:00, with the winner set to face Al Ahly SC in the final on the 4th and the 11th of June. 

Bucs fans not happy with Mokwena's comments after title win.

Orlando Pirates fans are not happy with Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, following his comments after Downs lifted the Dstv Premiership trophy for the sixth time in a row.

Bucs fans feel Mokwena's comments belittled their teams achievements so far this season.

Pirates are in line to finish second on the log, with the Nedbank Cup still up for grabs, having already lifted the MTN8 trophy earlier this season.

What Mokwena said...

"It might not feel like it sometimes, but this is the most important trophy in the country, the most important, it's the championship for ten months - home and away," said Mokwena after the game.

"You can fluke one or two wins, three, maybe four, and then a cup is delivered but you need to be consistent to win a championship."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/it-was-good-really-good-klopp-on.html?m=1

Bucs fans' reactions...

@Kholisile Majola

I like him as a coach not when he belittles other people for defeating him. I mean he achieved nothing alone, he didn't even start the 30 games as a sole leader.

@Makholwa Madwara

Koketso Dongo Mafereka If thats the case, any other team can fluke the Champions League. So by his line of argument, Champions League is whack because it has lesser games than the league. Yes/no?

@Sther Magaye

He is still bitter that they lost MTN8 semi-final to Pirates and feeling the chest pains for Bucs reaching the Nedbank final. He is already nervous of the talks that if Reveiro finishes second and win the Nedbank cup should be considered the coach of the season. He is now trying to defend himself that he won the biggest cup so he is coach of season. That how I analyse this statement.

@Zandise Makhuluskobho Nkungu

We know it does not feel good to not win everything so he must not act like they didn't want to win the cups they participated in, they wanted them badly, in fact in a cup competition that is where you prove that you are better than your counterpart because you win against that team you progress, you lose you are gone but in the league you can lose both first and second round with one team but beat other weak teams and win it, hence Pitso once said "you don't have to beat Chiefs to win the league, you can lose to them and still go on to win it"

And he also said while in Al Ahly "you don't have to beat Sundowns in the group stages to win CCL, let them take points and beat them in the KO stages because that's where the real CCL starts"  and he did it

@Ntshoakotse J Mokalapa

Zandise Makhuluskobho Nkungu I love Mlungisi and always have his back but he should not belittle those who got half a loaf which he was yearning for too. His team have the depth to can win all trophies on offer but seeing his failure to do that he start to with excuses.

@Prince Lefa

Taking a dig Towards Riveiro, well Rhulani you failed to win those fluke one or two games to clinch those Cups Sir. Enjoy your League titles and let other teams to rejoice also.

I thought we were excellent - Mokwena.

Mamelodi Sundowns kept their hopes of reaching the CAF Champions League final alive when they held Wydad AC to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at the Stade Mohammed V.

The result left the 2nd leg, to be played in Pretoria next week, in a delicate situation.

A draw with goals will see Sundowns knocked out of the CAFCL.

Nonetheless, Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, thought his side were excellent in Morocco.

Despite managing only a six goal attempts, with a single shot on target, Sundowns put on a controlled tactical performance that saw them limiting Wydad to just 11 goal attempts, with two on target, playing with 10 men in the second half.

"I thought before the red card we were very good, we scored, there were moments where we had 65% ball possessions – here [at Stade Mohamed V]," said Mokwena after the match as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-rebuffs-criticism-after-cafcl-first-leg/

"I thought we were excellent actually, contrary to your statement. That’s why I give so much, so much praise to the players. They know it’s only half-time, so we keep our feet firmly on the ground."

Going into next weekend's second leg, Mokwena is counting on the Sundowns supporters, and home ground advantage to push the team to the final.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/a-mature-performance-from-sundowns-in.html?m=1

"We’re still focussed on second leg in Pretoria. We know that we will also have the ammunition also behind us, we will have a stadium that now knows how to play Champions League matches and push this team."

I’m very sober, I’m very sober - Mokwena on Downs CAFCL favorites tag.

Ahead of their CAF Champions League semi-final showdown against Wydad AC tonight in Morocco, Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena says he is not intoxicated by the CAFCL favorites sweet brew being fed his side.

Mokwena was quick to divert the attention to the North African sides, saying they have achieved way more than Sundowns, having won the trophy 35 times.

"I’m very sober, I’m very sober in understanding what we have done [this season], it’s not allowed us to win anything,” Mokwena said in the pre-match press conference as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-north-african-clubs-have-won-this-35-times/

"If you look at the history of the Champions League you will know that 35 times this trophy has been won by a North African side, you look at the teams that are remaining in the last four and you see for yourself how many Al Ahly have won, how many times Esperance and Wydad have won the Champions League, more than Mamelodi Sundowns."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/arteta-marinades-brighton-with-sweet.html?m=1

Mokwena emphasized his point by highlighting Wydad's success in the competition.

The champions are appearing in their fifth semi-final in a row.

"If you look directly at our opponent you understand this is their fifth consecutive semi-final appearance, whereas this is the first time in a very long time that we appear in the semi-finals, so it’s very clear, that when you look at everything, we don’t have the pressure, we just have to continue to enjoy what we’re doing."

Tonight's semi-final kicks-off at 21:00.

It’s like being fed honey on a knife - Mokwena on Kouki's compliments.

CR Belouizdad coach, Nabil Kouki, showered Mamelodi Sundowns with praises after the latter knocked his side out of the Caf Champions League 6-2 on aggregate.

Kouki went as far as saying Sundowns are the best team in Africa at the moment, but Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, says Kouki's compliments are like more like being fed honey on a knife.

The Sundowns tactician pointed to the Stellenbosch loss in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, saying his side were the worst team in the match.

"We receive the compliments with a lot of humility and appreciation, coming from a very experienced coach on the continent, but you know like I always say with the pleasantries, it’s like being fed honey on a knife," Mokwena told iDiski Times https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/rulani-responds-to-koukis-praise-after-thumping-belouizdad

"I don’t have to go too far back because a couple of weeks ago, we lost to Stellies and we were the worst team, I was the worst coach and so… this is football.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/amazulu-coach-defends-his-players-over.html?m=1

"In football, you have to take the good moments, just like you take the bad moments, not too high in the good moments, not too low in the bad moments."

Sundowns will travel to KwaZulu Natal, Durban on Wednesday 03 May to take on AmaZulu FC.

The game will be played at Princess Magogo Stadium, with the kick-off at 19:30.

Fortunately we didn’t bleed a lot around the box - Mokwena.

Rulani Mokwena watched his Mamelodi Sundowns side come from a goal down to beat CR Belouizdad 2-0 to advance to the Caf Champions League semi-finals 6-2 on aggregate.

Mokwena believes they were fortunate not to have given away a lot of free-kicks around the box, where CRB could have punished them.

CRB opened the scoring from a corner kick that was headed in by Bouchar in the 24th minute, before Themba Zwane 45' and Thapelo Morena 49', salvaged the game for Sundowns.

“The feeling I got in the first half before they scored was that we were closer to scoring than they were. I thought we were in control, " said Mokwena as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/rulani-my-biggest-disadvantage-as-coach/

The only disappointment of the first half is that the first five minutes after they scored, I think emotionally we were rattled a little bit

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/they-have-quality-players-and-money-cr.html?m=1

“Fortunately we didn’t bleed a lot around the box because if you bleed a lot around the box against North African sides, they get free-kicks, they get corners and then they go for the second and that could’ve complicated issues.

“But after that we then stabilised ourselves again, we showed very good leadership and the senior players took charge of the game again and [we scored] a very good goal from Mshishi.”

At Sundowns you have to play well and win - Says Mokwena.

After back-to-back wins against CR Belouizdad, and Richards Bay FC in the Caf Champions League and Dstv Premiership respectively, Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, has shed some light on what his team has been going through lately.

Before they left to face CR Belouizdad in a CAFCL quarter-final in Algeria last weekend, a match they won 4-1, Sundowns had been struggling in the domestic front, with three straight draws in the league, and a Nedbank Cup exit in the hands of Stellenbosch FC.

"We know that at Sundowns you have to play well and win, we know that," Mokwena told Mamelodi Sundowns media.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/sundowns-wont-sacrifice-their-soul-for.html?m=1

"There are times where we have to show that we are Champions, we have to grind results a little bit and roll up our sleeves. It’s not always going to be pretty. It can’t be pretty because it’s not a world of realism and perfectionists. As I’ve said, I am very proud of the efforts of the players."

Mokwena says Sundowns finds themselves in a situation like that of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, where despite being tired, they still have to grind out results.

"We have to try to win every game, [it is a] difficult time for us because every game now is a game of consequence, everyone is playing for something. Every game is a game of consequence, that means we have to be at our best at every training session and at every match. We have to fight and we have to be able to solve football problems and the dynamics of the problems, even sometimes when we are a little bit tired. It’s not easy, it’s tough and it’s the space Bayern are in, it’s the space Real Madrid are in."

Sundowns host CR Belouizdad on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the CAFCL quarter-final second leg. Kick-off is at 16:00.

Sundowns won't sacrifice their soul for the CAFCL, according to Mokwena.

Rulani Mokwena has reiterated that Mamelodi Sundowns will not sacrifice their game model for Caf Champions League, according to SABC Sport.

Sundowns have stuck to their brand of football throughout the tournament, and they are just a game away from reaching the semi-finals.

Maybe that justifies Mokwena's thinking, why fix what is not broken?

"They're saying to (Roberto) De Zerbi at Brighton, the English Premier League, you can't play this way. They said when (Guardiola) Pep arrived in the EPL, they said you can't win in the English Premier League this way. His biggest challenge will be going to Stoke on a Saturday and the first time he went to Stoke, you know the story," said Mokwena as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/rulani-mokwena-mamelodi-sundowns-won-t-sacrifice-game-model-for-caf-title

When a tactical/technical need arises within the game, the Brazilians have managed to find solutions by using other alternatives without deviating much from their way of playing.

"Football is about not playing what you feel, what you want, it's a way of playing and I've spoken about the game model for so many years. A game model of the team encompasses many things. The players you have, the history that the club has, shoes shine and piano. The team is built over many transfer periods."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/chiefs-and-pirates-must-not-be-happy.html?m=1

Sundowns host CR Belouizdad on Saturday 29 April at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, at 16:00, to finish what they started in Algeria, where they emerged as 4-1 winners in the first leg quarter-final. 

Will Sundowns be made in Mokwena's image next season?

In modern football, coaches have become more of managers than just trainers and tacticians, something that has been happening in the English Premier League for a long time.

Technical teams are getting bigger, and the demands on coaches have never been bigger.

In that case, it is imperative that a coach surrounds himself with staff members he can trust within his technical team, hence we see top coaches like Pitso Mosimane moving around with their own staff members.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, is a proponent of modern trends in football, and if he is to succeed in turning the team into a dominant force in Africa, the work environment needs to be conducive to his ideas.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-coach-should-receive-credit-where.html?m=1

This means having a say on who sits next to him on the bench, who should be on his extended technical team, the comings and goings of the playing personnel, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Mokwena's agent, Steve Kapeluschik, hinted that would be an ideal situation for his client at Sundowns.

"I believe the modern game calls for a coach who is hands-on. The coach should be given a level of trust to make big decisions, of course, with the club’s approval. A few things have changed recently, but it’s clearly nothing the coach can’t handle,” said Kapeluschik as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/agent-confirms-rulani-mokwena-interest-but-mamelodi-sundowns-talks-continue

Mokwena has already shown that Sundowns might be taking a slightly different direction under his reign.

The Brazilians are playing more cutting edge football, and introducing more youngsters to the team.

There has also been some interesting additions to their technical team.

Which leaves the question, is Sundowns going to be made in Mokwena's image next season?

Are we going to see more technical team members moving elsewhere, as well as a few players to open spaces for recruits who fit Mokwena's vision?

That remains to be seen. 

The coach should receive the credit where it is due - Says Mokwena's agent.

With Mamelodi Sundowns having emphatically wrapped up the Dstv Premiership title a few weeks ago with seven matches to spare, their success has continued to be attributed their financial muscle rather than the brains behind it.

According to some in the South African football community, there is nothing special about Rulani Mokwena's title win, it is something to be expected from Sundowns.

But his agent, Steve Kapeluschik, has come out in defence of his client.

"It’s nonsense that people are saying because this is Sundowns, they ought to be winning the league every season. Look at a club like Chelsea, spending exorbitant amounts of money and not being able to deliver this season," said Kapeluschik as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/agent-confirms-rulani-mokwena-interest-but-mamelodi-sundowns-talks-continue

Kapeluschik believes the manner at which Sundowns went about winning the league title, should be enough to earn more respect for Mokwena.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/my-phone-hasnt-stopped-ringing-says.html?m=1

"I have never seen a title being won in this manner during the Premier Soccer League era, and I have been working in football for a long time. Sundowns are obviously miles ahead of their rivals [but] the coach should receive the credit where it is due."

While there is lot of talk around North African teams interest in Mokwena, the tactician is busy plotting his side's passage into the Caf Champions League semi-finals.

Sundowns will host CR Belouizdad in the second leg of their quarter-final encounter on Saturday 29 April at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria.

Kick-off is at 15:00.

My phone hasn't stopped ringing - says Mokwena's agent.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, is a wanted man.

According to his agent, Steve Kapeluschik, North African teams are eager to Mokwena leading their ambitious teams, especially after Sundowns' impressive exploits in the Caf Champions League.

"My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I’ve had inquiries from Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania, and even locally," Kapeluschnik told SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/agent-confirms-rulani-mokwena-interest-but-mamelodi-sundowns-talks-continue

While he has turned into a switch board receptionist, Kapeluschik says Mokwena is committed to continue with his work at Sundowns.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/suddenly-joining-sundowns-no-longer.html?m=1

"It is my job to inform my client, but coach Rulani has made it clear he wants to be at Sundowns. He believes there is something special that he can still go on to achieve at the club – they are just a different level and class. You can see it with the number of trophies," he added.

The North African interest in Mokwena is not surprising.

Forget the fact that he has only lost once since taking over the head coaching reigns at Sundowns.

You can also put aside the fact that he guided Downs to their sixth Dstv premiership title in a row with seven matches to spare, that is nothing compared to what Mokwena is capable of.

Simply put, a coach like Pitso Mosimane has perfected the football of the past, and quickly gliding towards the game of the future.

But Mokwena, like one of his favorite coaches, Pep Guardiola, is more of a coach who comes from the future.

His football intelligence, a result of hard work more than coaching talent, is out of this world.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/chippa-can-be-easy-prey-but-so-is-chiefs.html?m=1

While everyone is raving about the football his Sundowns side is playing, one can bet their last rand that compared to what Mokwena wants them to be, they are not even close.

In a nutshell, Sundowns will have to hasten in tying down their head coach, or risk playing against him in next season's CAFCL. 

It's his job! - says Mokwena about Williams brilliant performances.

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Richards Bay FC 1-0 in a Dstv premiership match played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams was once again amongst Sundowns top performers in the game, pulling off some match winning saves to keep yet another clean sheet.

Williams has been outstanding for Sundowns this season, not only with keeping clean sheets, but performing the role of the modern goalkeeper with excellence, initiating build ups in possession, and acting as a sweeper off possession.

The national team captain has raised his hand for the player of the season award.

But his coach, Rulani Mokwena, insists that Williams is just doing his job.

"Yeah but it’s his job, that’s why we have a goalkeeper, organisational forms of teams start with the number one of the team sheet and that’s a goalkeeper,"Mokwena said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/mokwena-there-shouldnt-be-much-talk-over-footballer-of-the-season/

Just like Williams, Tebogo Mokwena has been brilliant for Sundowns in midfield, working hard off possession and instrumental in the team's build up play.

Mokwena believes he also deserves a special mention when it comes to conversations about the player of the season award.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/top-coach-riveiro-is-but-he-would-make.html?m=1

"He’s been magnificent, I’m really not even sure why there are lots of discussions of Footballer of the Season and this – he puts his name up, Tebza has [also] been consistent and outstanding but so was the entire team today with fight and hunger."

Mokwena gives an insight into Sundowns declining performances.

After his side's shock 2-1 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in Saturday's Nedbank Cup quarter-final, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena has revealed some the factors such as that have led to the team's unconvincing performances lately.

Sundowns have won just one out of their last six matches, drawing four and losing one across all competitions.

According to Mokwena, fixture congestion doesn't give Sundowns enough time to plan for the opposition, while fatigue is also becoming a factor.

While it might be argued that Sundowns have the luxury of a big, quality squad, which means they can rotate their players to the keep their squad fresh, team synergy becomes compromised, leading to below par performances.

"As I sit here as their coach I'm more proud of them than I've ever have been because despite the pressures, despite how difficult it is, we play against every opponent that has time to prepare for us and we only have one or two days to prepare for an opponent physically," Mokwena said after the game as quoted by Times Live.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-16-our-opponents-play-a-game-a-week-mokwena-laments-after-sundowns-cup-shock/

"Our opponents only play one game a week. Of course the element of freshness comes in and you could see it in certain moments today. Tactically they have time to review and come with plans and solutions.

"You could see it with all the opposition we've played so far. But it's not for us to find excuses. There are  no excuses. We have to win football matches and when we don't win we have to see why we didn't win.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/rulani-must-stop-doing-certain-players.html?m=1

"In moments like these you'd think the opponent is better, and like in any other competitive sports, if the opponent is better you take the defeat and you move on."

Sundowns will next play against CR Belouizdad in a Caf Champions League quarter-final on Saturday 22 April at the Stade Nelson Mandela.

Rulani must stop doing certain players favours - Khanye.

Mamelodi Sundowns lost 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final match played at Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.

On the back of Sundowns loss, Diski TV analyst, Junior Khanye, believes it is time for coach Rulani Mokwena to stop doing certain players favours.

Khanye believes Peter Shalulile was not supposed to be kept on the pitch for so many minutes when he was actually not contributing anything.

"I don't understand why Shalulile was kept for many minutes, whilst the guy did nothing, keep him only if he gives you something," Khanye told iDiski TV.

"Yes uMshishi (Themba Zwane) was quiet, and Sirino as well, they were substituted, but why keep Shalulile?

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/after-stellenbosch-loss-how-deep-can.html?m=1

"Because even in the Swallows game the guy missed so many chances. I know that he's been scoring for them, but why keep him in the game until the 94th minute? That was a blunder from the coach."

Khanye believes there are players who just know that they will make the starting 11 at Sundowns, judging by their body language.

"And one thing that Rulani needs to learn, because he is going to face this situation again (teams playing like Stellenbosch) in the Dstv Premiership next season, and the Caf Champions league, they got quality players (Sundowns), make no mistake, but the mistake that the coach makes is that he sometimes do certain players favours.

"There are players, if you judge by their body language, who know they are always going to play. Look at Mvala's blunder, but truly speaking, I am sure he is going to play in the next game.

"According to me, De Reuck (Rushine) is supposed to play there. Jali (Andile) as well, I heard in the media Mike Makaab saying he is not going back there, but next season, going into the champions league, they will need Jali in that position (number six).

"Rulani needs to go back to the drawing board. There are certain players at Sundowns who must earn their positions in the starting 11. He mustn't go with history, he must select players according to their current performances," he concluded.

Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Caf Champions League quarter-finals, with CR Belouizdad awaiting them on Saturday 22 April at Stade Nelson Mandela, Algeria.

'Today we didn't deserve to win' - Mokwena.

Having suffered his first defeat as Mamelodi Sundowns coach courtesy of a determined Stellenbosch FC in a Nedbank Cup encounter played at Athlone Stadium, Rulani Mokwena admitted his side didn't deserve to win the game.

If there is one thing, it seems, that Stellenbosch enjoys doing, it is ending winning streaks where Sundowns are concerned.

Stellies also broke Sundowns' 15 match winning streak when they held them to a 1-1 draw during the middle stages of the season.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-warning-signs-were-there-for.html?m=1

Nonetheless, Mokwena congratulated Stellenbosch, saying they were a better side and deserving winners.

"Let’s just congratulate Stellenbosch and wish them all the best for the rest of the cup, today we didn’t deserve to win and that’s competitive sport, if someone is better than you, you put your hands up, congratulate them and wish them all the best," he told SuperSport TV as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/mokwena-reacts-to-nedbank-cup-exit/

"They were not much better, but they were better."

"We lost a lot of the duels today, from the first minute but okay we go [on], as I said congratulations to Stellenbosch and wish them all the best."

Sundowns will have no time to lick their wounds, with CR Belouizdad awaiting them in a Caf Champions League quarterfinal match in Algeria next Saturday. 

Mokwena reveals a privilege enjoyed by Sundowns youngsters.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, is slowly introducing some talented youngsters in the senior team.

The likes of Ntando Nkosi, Siyabonga Mabena and Jerome Karelse have had a taste of what it is like to play for the Dstv Premiership serial winners.

Mokwena has highlighted how much of a privilege it is for Sundowns youngsters to be training with, and learning from the likes of Themba Zwane and Marcello Allende.

"I try so much to guard my words and don’t misinterpret me. What I am saying is that the privilege of training with Themba Zwane, Marcelo Allende and doing extra training with Denis Onyango and Ronwen Williams is something that as a 16, 17 or 18-year-old teenager I would do anything for that," said Mokwena as quoted by Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/

"They will grow, they will get to that space and we will coach and help them to become better and better."

According to Mokwena, Siphelele Mkhulise, and former Sundowns forward, Percy Tau, had to go through a more difficult route, with loan spells to continue their football education and gain experience.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/do-you-really-wanna-tell-me-players.html?m=1

"With the young ones you have to accept, unfortunately you are paying school fees. They can only learn by making mistakes and they will get better. If you look at Sphelele Mkhulise, he had to go to Black Leopards to get game time and learn. 

"Let’s look at Percy (Tau), he had to go out on loan to get his minutes and learn. They are very fortunate and privileged and they should never forget this. They are actually learning from some of the best already." 

Do you really wanna tell me the players aren’t trying to win matches? - Mokwena.

The spotlight has been on Mamelodi Sundowns' three draws in a row in the Dstv Premiership.

If this was any other team, the three draws would not have made the news, but this is Mamelodi Sundowns, the most successful South African club at the moment, they are the news.

Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, believes that if people can look at his team with sober eyes, they would see that his players are trying to win matches.

"So it’s tough, it’s the world we live in, unfortunately, but we try to win games, we try to do our best and try again [to win]. Really, let’s watch with soberness of eyes, if you watch Sundowns do you really wanna tell me the players aren’t trying to win matches?" asked Mokwena. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/mokwena-we-are-victims-of-our-own-success/

"I saw a stat saying Sundowns has only been able to comeback from behind and win a football match, twice in the last 13 years. Someone sent me that stat – this is the first time we actually went behind this season.

"That was such an important test to overcome and it wasn’t easy, Golden Arrows are very good, with good players in a rich vein of form and we had to fight and overcome the result."

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The three draws, according to Mokwena, are just a turbulent period that every team goes through.

"The road to success is not paved in glitz and glam, it’s not smooth sailing, there’s turbulence and we have to be grateful to God because for others the turbulences are vert very difficult and for us the turbulences are three draws in a row.

"So we have to appreciate the fact, even while football dished out lessons and tests, it still doesn’t affect us that much, we just have to keep going and try and be stronger and stronger."

Mokwena runs the rule over Stellenbosch FC.

       Image credit: Lorenz Kohler

Mamelodi Sundowns will visit Stellenbosch FC on Saturday afternoon for a tricky Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash at Athlone Stadium.

As is the norm, the meticulous Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena has dug deep to highlight the strengths of a Stellenbosch side that ended Downs' 15 match winning streak when they held the champions to a 1-1 draw at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Mokwena praised Stellenbosch coach, Steve Barker for doing a great job in moulding his youthful side.

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"A very good side, a well-coached side – Stevie Barker is doing good work. Their log position doesn't reflect their quality and their performances, but that, as I said, is football," said Mokwena as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/rulani-why-stellenbosch-are-a-tricky-side-for-mamelodi-sundowns

"A very good team with some very good players – Olwethu Makhanya as centre-back, bright potential, [Fawaaz] Basadien has been very good and extremely consistent.

"Ok, [Deano] van Rooyen is injured, so it will be interesting to see – we'll have to go deeper into the games, we've seen what they could possibly do, so we have to continue to try to dig deep and find information.

"[Vusi] Sibiya is good, strong, very experienced, he's played for some PSL and NFD sides, so he's got very good experience.

"They've got Rayners, who's come back from SuperSport and he's movement is very, very tricky, but that's influenced a little bit by the link-up between him and [Andre] de Jong, who is good, especially with the ball to feet.

"And if you're not careful then that brings the centre-halves to step into the midfield a lot more, and once that happens then you've got space behind for Rayners to run into."

They've given me no reason to doubt them - Mokwena on his Sundowns team.

   Image: Lorenz Kohler Facebook

Mamelodi Sundowns will visit Athlone Stadium on Saturday 15 April to battle against a tricky Stellenbosch FC side in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal at 18:00.

Sundowns, who go into this encounter on the back of three consecutive draws against Cape Town City, Swallows FC, and Lamontville Golden Arrows in the league, will be hoping to rediscover their goalscoring form when it matters most against Stellenbosch.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/komphela-on-sundowns-vs-stellenbosch-we.html?m=1

Their head coach, Rulani Mokwena, has insisted that not scoring in two of their last three games is no reason to start doubting his team's abilities.

Instead, he has praised their second half performances as the part of his team's personality that has impressed him the most.

"It's a team that has scored a lot of goals and they've given me no reason to doubt them, so we keep going," Mokwena said as quoted by Sowetan Live. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-13-im-paid-to-find-solutions-mokwena-after-sundowns-third-straight-draw/

"We had six big chances in total [against Arrows] and we only had one big chance in the first half. So there was big improvement in the second half, a [part of the] personality of the team that I like.

“It's a team that has scored a lot of goals and they've given me no reason to doubt them, so we keep going.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/is-mamelodi-sundowns-ladies-suffering.html?m=1

"We had six big chances in total [against Arrows] and we only had one big chance in the first half. So there was big improvement in the second half, a [part of the] personality of the team that I like."