Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, insists that his team has team not lost the intensity and aggression since being crowned league champions.
Sundowns played two goalless draws against Cape Town City and Swallows since winning the league and the Sundowns coach was happy with his team’s performance.
“Two draws in a row – we have no concerns,” said Mokwena. “I’m very proud of the effort from the players, the spirit in the squad and the recovering of the players [from injuries].
“It’s so nice to see [Bongani] Zungu and Gaston [Sirino] after such a long time on the pitch. Thapelo [Morena] also. We have to play these games and also make sure the squad is close to each other – I’m very proud of the players, it was a gallant effort.”
Mokwena was quick to dismiss talk that his team has lost aggression and intensity. “I don’t agree with that. These games are very difficult. They are difficult because in football you need a lot of conditions to have intensity. You need an opponent that is there as an aggressor.
“[Against Swallows] we played against an opponent that was sitting and holding on to a point at home.
“To have intensity you need a very good pitch so that the ball moves a little bit, but the pitch [against Swallows] was dry and bumpy. We were responsible for the tempo and did all we could. I think we won a lot duels. There will never be a game at Sundowns, that I’m in charge of, which has no aggression.”
Sundowns’ next match is away to Golden Arrows on Wednesday, 12 April.
By Zola Doda