Coach Rulani Previews Chippa United Clash At Loftus

Two days after securing their first win of the new year, Mamelodi Sundowns are gearing up for their return to the DStv Premiership where they will take on Chippa United in a bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.

“The performance was very good against Richards Bay, in the first half we struggled to adapt to the conditions, but under the circumstances we are happy with the performance in the second half, happy with the way we played and with the personality of the team. We are also happy with  goals, especially from the patterns we worked on and also the clean sheet.” Said Rulani after the game in KZN against Richards Bay

Speaking a head of the game, Coach Rulani Mokwena identified the qualities the Chippa United possess that he expects to see on Monday: 

“Chippa United are a different proposition and are very interesting, I think what has helped them is first the influence of Gavin Hunt can not be taken out, we watched their game against Tuks and they were a bit unfortunate to concede the two goals. They have a very very clear style of play – the physicality that they have, the aggression in the duels, they commit a lot of fouls – Eva Nga and [Thokozani Sekotlong] press from the front.”

“I also need to commend the work being done by Kurt Lentjies, who has done a fantastic job. To add onto the profile of the team, they still kept [a lot of those qualities] but now their play has improved, they build from the back very very well, they look a lot more composed on the ball, they find the angles and look for possibilities to advance.”

Mokwena continued to identify some of the player he expects to play a key role for the opposition at Loftus, but expressed his confidence in the preparation that has been done by his team:

“Roscoe Pietersen is critical for them and [Sandile] Mthethwa is very important for them. [They are] a team that looks like they have gone to another level. It should be a very interesting game for us because it means we are going to have to work very very hard to get the ball from them. We need the ball to be able to show our qualities.”

“They can give us a lot of problems, but those problems are things that we have to deal with and in trying to manage their patterns of play that look to be really improving. It’s a game that we are looking forward to, two days after our last match with a bit of travelling for us, which speaks to our regeneration and recovery – but we will be prepared.”

Mamelodi Sundowns face Chippa United at Loftus Versfeld on Monday evening in the DStv Premiership. The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport Channel 202 and will kick off at 19:30