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.

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"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?

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"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.

After Stellenbosch loss, how deep can Sundowns dig for the CAFCL?

        Image: iDiski Times Twitter

Mamelodi Sundowns succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Stellembosch FC in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal match played at Athlone Stadium on Saturday evening.

The loss came on the back of three consecutive draws in the Dstv Premiership, with Sundowns being held by Cape Town City, Swallows FC, and Lamontville Golden Arrows.

If the three draws in a row were a sign of some kind of a decline in standards when it comes to Sundowns performances, the Nedbank Cup was nothing but full confirmation.

Having not lost a game since Rulani Mokwena took over as a coach, and with them not being invincible, a loss was always going to come, it was just a matter of when.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/today-we-didnt-deserve-to-win-mokwena.html?m=1

To be fair to Sundowns players, they have outdone themselves, winning going on a long unbeaten run, and winning the league with seven games to spare.

Added to that is the high pressure of playing Caf Champions League football, which they have handled well so far.

But they are humans too, with all the pressure and expectations, they are bound to crack.

The game of football demands a lot physically, but it is the mental aspect that is vital, looking at Sundowns' latest results, one can tell that their success is starting to take its toll on the players.

Unfortunately, it comes at a time when Sundowns needs their players to be on their top condition when it comes to the mental part of their game.

The Caf Champions League, which is one trophy they are truly after, comes with huge mental demands on players.

The big question is, do Sundowns players still have enough mental fuel in their tanks to go the distance in the CAFCL?

Their latest results in domestic competitions scream a big NO as an answer to the above question.

Sundowns look more like a team that is just going through the motions at the moment, they are doing what they know how to do, but without real hunger.

On the other hand, the loss to Stellenbosch could be just the kind of shock therapy they needed to wake up from their slumber.

Maybe, just maybe, they will remember that the season is not over yet, that the biggest catch they are hunting for, the CAFCL title that is, is still on the loose.

The results from Saturday 22 April in Algeria against CR Belouizdad, will give us all the answers. 

'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. 

The warning signs were there for Sundowns as they lose to Stellies.

    Image: Lorenz Kohler Facebook

Stellenbosch FC dumped Mamelodi Sundowns out of the Nedbank Cup with a hard fought 2-1 win at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town.

Iqraam Rayners was Stellenbosch's hero as he bagged a brace, scoring in the 48th minute to cancel Sundowns' lead, before putting his side ahead in the 57th minute.

Starved of possession, with Sundowns controlling 78% of the ball, Steve Barker's boys remained resolute at the back, limiting the Brazilians to just four shots on target, despite having fashioned 20 attempts on goal.

In attack, Stellies thrived on efficiency, managing four shots on target, two of them converted to goals, from seven attempts.

Going into this game, concerning signs were there for Sundowns.

They had drawn three league games in a row, despite dominant performances, Sundowns didn't look convincing in the final third, uncharacteristically so for a team that is ruthless in front of goal.

Having lost to Stellenbosch, means Downs have won just one out of their last six matches, a 2-1 victory over Coton Sport in the Caf Champions League.

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With hopes of a treble gone, Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Caf Champions League.

They travel to Algeria to face CR Belouizdad on Saturday 22 April at Stade Nelson Mandela.

Coach Rulani Mokwena will hope his side recover in time from their Stellenbosch loss, rediscover their scoring boots, and be ready for what is expected to be a tough encounter. 

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.

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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.

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"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."

Komphela on Sundowns vs Stellenbosch: We have to defend the Nedbank Cup.

Mamelodi Sundowns senior team coach, Steve Komphela. Image: Facebook

Mamelodi Sundowns will take on Stellenbosch FC in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, 18:00pm, at Athlone Stadium.

While Sundowns have a date on Wednesday 12 April against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium, it is the weekend's encounter that holds much significance to them.

The Brazilians are the Nedbank Cup defending champions, having won it last season against Marumo Gallants in the final.

Sundowns have already lost one of their titles, the MTN8, which now belongs to Orlando Pirates. They would love nothing more than beating Stellenbosch on Saturday to increase their chances of winning a treble again this season, with the Caf Champions League also still on offer.

But Sundowns first team coach, Steve Komphela, has no illusions about the difficulties that lie ahead as they prepare for Stellies.

The last time the two sides met, Sundowns 15 match winning streak was brought to an abrupt end by a determined Stellenbosch.

"It was a tough one and we knew as we went there that it was not going to be easy knowing what they are capable of and testimony of that is what happened [against TS Galaxy], make no mistake, Galaxy are a hell of a good team, defensively they are solid but getting six past their defence, says a lot," said Komphela as quoted by iDiski Times.
https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/komphela-wary-of-stellenbosch-threat/

"But we’ll go to Cape Town and unfortunately for us, our brief and responsibility has always remained the same, we have to defend [the title]."

In a match where the only thing that went Sundowns' way was ball possession, which they controlled 66% of, Stellenbosh had the better of goal attempts, with 15 in total, compared to Sundowns' 14. Out the of the 15 attempts, Stellies managed to put seven on target, while Downs had five.

More of the same can be expected from Steve Barker's side on Saturday, and Komphela expects it too.

"We had a small discussion with Stevie before the previous one, and one of the discussion lines were upfront, their movement on top is quite fascinating and what happened [six goals against Galaxy] is not a surprise to us because it is clear what they do," he added.

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"And based on that, we went to Cape Town, aware of that, we still suffered a setback, so we’ll have to go there, they keep doing this and they do it so well, so we have to respect it."

Why Pirates must be wary of Richards Bay, and Chiefs might be in trouble against Stellenbosch FC.

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are pushing for a second spot finish, which will give them passage to next season's Caf Champions League.

This coming Saturday, the two Soweto giants will be looking for nothing less than three points when they take on Richards Bay, and Stellenbosch FC respectively in their quest to leap-frog second placed SuperSport United.

Richards Bay FC vs Orlando Pirates:

Based on current form and statistics, Orlando Pirates should have no problems disposing of Richards Bay when the two sides clash on Saturday 01 April at King Zwelithini Stadium, Durban.

After-all, the Rich Boys are currently enduring a poor run of form, having lost all their last five matches, scoring just a single goal, with 10 conceded.

With Pirates buoyed by their quest for the all-important CAFCL spot, they will be looking to rub salt to Bay's open wound by handing them a sixth defeat in a row.

The last time the two sides met, Bucs dominated proceedings, with 69% ball possession, and 11 attempts on goal, with the Rich Boys settling for just 31% of the ball, and a mere two goal attempts.

More of the same can be expected on Saturday, with Pirates dominating possession and creating the better chances.

But there is one factor that might work in Richards Bay's favor, and that is the change in their technical team's hierarchy.

Just before the international break, the Rich Boys announced Vasili Manousakis as their sole head coach, with Pitso Dladla relegated to an assistant role after they worked as co-coaches throughout the season.

Coaching changes seem to motivate players as they perform above themselves in the first few games to impress the new coach.

That is what Pirates will have to contend with, a rejuvenated Richards Bay looking to get back to winning ways.

If Amabhakaniya can keep cool heads and be able to handle a resurgent Bay, they may walk away with the much needed three points.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/03/with-david-notoane-having-stepped-down.html?m=1

Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC: 

Amakhosi will host Stellies on Saturday 01 April at FNB Stadium, with the kickoff at 17:30.

This should be an exciting fixture, with both sides currently enjoying a rich run of form.

Chiefs have won three of their last five games, showing a bit of consistency for the first time this season, with four wins in a row if you include the Nedbank Cup.

While Arthur Zwane will be hoping for a continuation of their good run, they are facing a Stellies side that is also on an upward trajectory.

Steve Barker's youngsters, boosted by the return of Dstv Premiership Player of The Month, Iqraam Rayners, have been unstoppable lately.

They have won four out of their last five league games, dropping points only against Mamelodi Sundowns in a 1-1 draw.

The only thing that can separate the two sides in this all-important encounter is who takes their chances.

With Amakhosi's ability to create chances, with a positive xGF (expected goals for) of 1.68 per match, and Stellenbosch's unconvincing xGA (expected goals against) of 1.35 per match, we can expect Chiefs to have no problems finding the back of the net.

But it is Chiefs' defending that Stellenbosch may look to exploit, Amakhosi average 1.13 goals conceded per match, with Stellies in a mean scoring mood lately, having scored 10 goals in their last five matches, expect them two score a goal or two at FNB.

This is a difficult encounter to predict, but one thing for, there will be a lot of exciting action and goals from both sides.