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.

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"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. 

Chippa can be easy prey, but so is Chiefs.

Chippa United will host Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday 27 April [Tomorrow] at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, with the match kicking off at 15:00.

With relegation having a tight grip on their neck, Chippa will want nothing less than three points to increase their chances of survival.

On the other hand, Chiefs have not given up on their target, which is the Caf Champions League spot, despite losing to Sekhukhune United in their previous encounter, a loss that saw them falling six points behind second placed SuperSport United.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/from-comparisons-with-saleng-to-verge.html?m=1

In a layman's eyes, Chippa should have no hope of beating Amakhosi.

They have lost three of their last five Dstv premiership games, drawing two.

Their defence has been leaking goals, with nine in five league games, while they can't find the back of the net, having scored just three goals.

To make matters worse, they are not even a side that creates valuable goalscoring opportunities, with an average xGF [expected goals for] of 0.76 per match, while they give away good scoring chances to opponents like Father Christmas, with an xGA [expected goals against] of 1.45 per game.

Their opponents, Chiefs, know how to create chances, with an average xGF of 1.73 per match.

One would think Chippa are in huge trouble, but the thing with Chiefs is that they just can't seem to score goals.

Their chance conversion rate stands at 9%, something that should be frustrating to their head coach, Arthur Zwane.

On top of their poor goalscoring form, Chiefs struggle with consistency.

Having gone on an impressive four match winning run in the league, Chiefs went on to draw 1-1 against Marumo Gallants on the 8th of April, followed by a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune recently.

Come Thursday, one can not know which Chiefs to expect.

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

In a nutshell, a betting man may place their bet on a Chiefs win against Chippa, but not with their savings, because Amakhosi always find a way to disappoint.

A risk taker might go for Chippa, a team motivated by their plight with relegation, this is football, anything is almost possible.

*Stats source: footystats.org

From comparisons with Saleng, to the verge of obscurity.

Kaizer Chiefs winger, Kgaogelo Sekgota started the season like a house on fire, leading to a heated debate amongst South African football fans on who is better between him and Orlando Pirates star, Monnapule Saleng.

Fast-forward towards the end of the season, Saleng is a strong contender for the Dstv premiership player of the season, while Sekgota is nowhere to be seen, literally.

The 25-year-old speedster has appeared 25 times for Chiefs across all competitions this season, mostly cameo roles, contributing a single assist, and no goals to speak of.

His limited game time and unconvincing performances when given a chance, has led to questions about how good Sekgota really is.

But he is adamant that it is not the end of the road for him as he continues to improve his game in training.

"I have been working hard and getting motivation from the technical team. Obviously, everything has its moment. All in good time, so it’s good," he told www.kaizerchiefs.com.

"The team has been doing well. We won a few games in a row, and obviously it’s sad when, as Kaizer Chiefs, you lose a game (against Sekhukhune last weekend) but we still have a lot to play for. We’ve got the Nedbank Cup semi-final. We’ve got some games left to finish the season very well, as far up as possible. The team is working very hard, daily, and we are ready for anything that comes."

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

Kaizer Chiefs will be traveling to Nelson Mandela Stadium, Gqeberha, on Thursday 27 April, to face relegation threatened Chippa United.

While Sekgota believes Chippa won't be easy to play against considering their log position, he is confident his side can get a positive result.

"Chippa have a good team, with good players, but we are also good and we are ready for them and looking forward to the game.

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"I think they have a good squad and, thinking of their position in the relegation zone means it’s not going to be easy for us, but as I said, we’ll be ready for them."

Suddenly, joining Sundowns no longer looks like career suicide for Williams.

Ronwen Williams equalled the legendary Moeneeb Josephs record of 17 clean sheets on Tuesday when Mamelodi Sunfowns beat Richards Bay 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld.

Williams has been instrumental in Sundowns' impressive league run this season, conceding only seven goals as the champions lifted the Dstv premiership title with seven games to spare.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/mark-mayambela-from-dazzling-dribbling.html?m=1

This is the same Williams who was said to be on his way out of the Bafana Bafana squad after if he was announced as Sundowns new keeper just before the beginning of the season.

After all, Sundowns Denis Onyango, one of the best goalkeepers Africa has to offer, minding their goal with aplomb.

In short, Williams was on his way straight to the Sundowns bench to join Kennedy Mweene and Riyaard Pieterse in twiddling their thumbs with limited action.

But Williams and the Brazilians technical team had other ideas, it seems.

The national team has since made the Downs goalkeeping position his own, putting on some strong performances both in domestic and continental football, including two crucial penalty saves against Al Ahly SC, and Al Hilal Omdurman respectively.

It is not only Ronwen's exploits in goal that have been impressive this season, but his heavy involvement with Sundowns' traditional build up from the back.

At times, Williams fully takes over the duties of one of the center backs during build up play, fully epitomizing what a modern goalkeeper should be.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/its-his-job-says-mokwena-about-williams.html?m=1

As the season approaches the finish line, Williams will mostly set a new record of clean sheets kept in a season, and well on his way to a Dstv premiership Player of the Season award. 

Mark Mayambela: From a dazzling dribbling wizard to a UEFA licensed coach.

                Image: Twitter

Former Orlando Pirates dribbling wizard, Mark Mayambela, is now a UEFA B licensed coach, with his sights firmly set on obtaining his A license.

A former player getting top football coach education is a good thing, but not big news.

What makes Mayambela's story interesting is because of the player he was.

In his playing days, Mayambela was a firm crowd favorite. He gave  South African football fans what they wanted, which was a little bit more 'sugar and spice' in his game.

But with becoming a crowd favorite, comes the blinding lights of fame that have seen many talented footballers in the country fall by the wayside.

For Mayambela though, the football gods spared him from the curse of being haunted by fame's demons.

He is currently working as a coach with the Cape Town City DDC side, and seems destined for much bigger things.

"I want to build myself as a coach, different from the player that I was," Mayambela told Sowetan Live. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-25-mayambela-aims-to-leave-a-mark-as-coach/

"Of course, people will always associate me with how I played football or the player that I was, but also I must establish myself as a coach; be humble enough to learn, to seek assistance and be patient. I’m honestly comfortable, happy and proud of myself and what I have achieved so far in coaching."

Mayambela credits his environment and the people within it for his seamless transition into coaching.

"I would say it [the transition] has been smooth so far. I’m in a good environment, surrounded by good people and I’m coaching good players.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/its-his-job-says-mokwena-about-williams.html?m=1

"Of course, the transition is always tricky, but the nice thing is I have created a pathway for myself. I did plan this transition..., hence I’m empowering myself and doing coaching courses because it’s part of my pathway.  

"Coaching in the development is part of my pathway. I could have easily gone to be an assistant coach at a PSL or NFD club, use my playing profile... but I took a different route; I wanted to start from scratch."

By the look of things, only the sky is the limit in the coaching sphere for the 35-year-old former left winger.