Coach Rulani Relfects On Victory Over Richards Bay

Mamelodi Sundowns continued their run of victories with a 2-0 win at the King Zwelithini Stadium against Richards Bay FC on Friday evening. The victory consolidated the top spot in the league for Bafana Ba Style and saw them continue their streak of clean sheets in domestic action.

Speaking after the match, Coach Rulani Mokwena shared his post-match thoughts: 

“In the first half I thought we were very very good, we ran out of legs a little bit in the second half. As I said, sometimes the team has to suffer together, it’s important because it will help later on in games where you have legs but the opposition is putting you under a lot of stress and you can trust each other.”

“Richards Bay pushed us today, we played against number three on the log, a team that’s difficult to beat. A lot of teams will struggle to come here and pick up points, they pushed us very hard. We’re going to have to that every game, it’s only halfway through the season, it’s only fifteen games.”

Masandawana secured victory courtesy of goals from Cassius Mailula and Haashim Domingo either side of the break and Coach Rulani was full of praise for the teams approach to the game:

“Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns and congratulations to the players for a lot of hard work that they put in.”

“It’s the culture of the club, I think the DNA of the club is ‘Shoe Shine and Piano” . It’s a style that was created many years ago by many legends. It’s about the quality of the players, you cannot speak about how well we played without speaking about the quality of our players.”

The win takes Masandawana to 37 points at the summit of the DStv Premiership at the halfway stage of the league season. The Brazilians will return home to being their preparations for next weeks home action against Chippa United.

4 Responses
  1. Jero

    Welldone Coach and to your Technical Team please Guys stay grounded and let the media eat their humble pie who are always on Manqoba case.
    But my Biggest love to those Boys
    The joy they give is immeasurable

    1. Shando

      Good win for the.lads, and thanks Tom thr technical team for the planning and game approach. I was however concerned about the defensive structure overall, looking at thr chances that Rich Boys. If they were clinical like us, we would be talking a different story today. Rowen came to the party on more than two occasions for us and that tells you that something was not right. If those chances fall to an AL alhy or Widad team., the rest will be history. Let’s work on those mistakes, and to me it was unlike us or maybe perhaps we got a test this time around. Just my opinion.

  2. Skhumba

    I agree with you Shando!! Richards Bay had more than enough chances to score at least 2 goals!! We missed some decent chances though in the first half but this was not a great performance from the team by any standards!! I think defencively we struggled against the Rich Boys especially on the wing backs!! Mthobi Mvala was lucky not to concede a penalty with that late challenge!! I think the team is set up to attack but there is a little bit lack of defensive midfielders!! We need another defensive midfielder to assist Mokoena!! Anyway this is just my opinion!!

  3. Shando

    Agreed. I think sometime when you win games like that you tend to think 🤔 you were outstanding on the day, but it wasn’t to be. I guess we are not being too hard to the team but to exercise excellent one must acknowledge and analyse these details.so we can be a better team for the 🏆 champions league.