This is what we need to focus on before we think about going home – Coach Rulani Mokwena

Mamelodi Sundowns anticipate the upcoming  Carling Back Label Cup competition after closing off their last game in the first half of the DSTV Premiership with a bang last weekend with a 3-0 win against Royal AM in an away encounter. The Brazilians look forward to using their time off to prepare for the Carling Black Label competition before they go to rest and recoup during the international FIFA World Cup break.

“It’s been a difficult year, I have said it before and even when I talk to the players I have mentioned that it’s been a tough year, and not only for footballers but for society as well. Society is what we are part of because once we leave, we are part of our communities, and going to the break with good spirits influences the energies and happiness of the people around us.” Said Masandawana’s head coach Rulani Mokwena.

The Brazilians Coach revealed that because it’s been a tough year, the team needs to use the FIFA break to rest and reset for when they resume games for the rest of the season. He added that although everyone needs to rest, they have more assignments to focus on and accomplish before they go home.

“We can’t wait for the FIFA break but now we need to drink lots of fluids, rest a little bit, go back home, and prepare for the Carling Black Label Cup because the competition is an opportunity for the team to win. This is what we need to focus on before we think about going home.”

This year’s Carling Black Label Cup was open to all PSL teams with each club tasked with getting the most votes from the public to grant their participation in the epic tournament. Bafana Ba Style are set to lock horns with AmaZulu FC who secured fourth place in the one-day event, meanwhile the two other teams – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been pitted against each other. Masandawana are excited for their first opportunity to contest and intend to go into the competition with vigor and ambitions to add the Carling Cup Silverware to their trophy cabinet in Chloorkop.

Mamelodi Sundowns have managed to remain consistent with their performance for their past six matches in the DSTV Premiership, collecting 18 points and scoring 13 goals in the process. Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena disclosed the formula for his team’s consistency on the pitch that has led to producing great results, he said:

“Teamwork has led us to be consistent in the league. No one is bigger than this football club, we’re just trying to serve it. When you are servants you forget a lot about yourself and the results. You continue to serve and that’s what we try to do as the technical team and as pure football servants. We live, eat and breathe this game and try to do the best we can for this football club.”

Masandawana’s head coach mentioned that when the team goes into any game in the league, the assignment is to come back with 3 points and they try their utmost best to achieve that goal. Coach Rulani further went on to say that the technical team and the players are servants of the club because they are all sent to fetch the order of the game being the points and goals.

“This game belongs to football players and the game is about the football players.  I would like to give an Incredible salute and appreciation to the incredible group of footballers at Mamelodi Sundowns.”

Bafana Ba Style currently sit at the top of the DSTV Premiership Log, leading with 28 points. The Brazilians intend to prevail with their consistent performance in the league and retain their Champions title in the league and continually conquer the African continent. 

With the FIFA break approaching, the team will use the time to rest and reset. As soon as they return from holiday, the Brazilians will host Orlando Pirates for a DSTV Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, 31 December 2022.

Mamelodi Sundowns will battle AmaZulu on Saturday, 12 November 2022 at the FNB Stadium for a spot in the final clash. Kick off is at 09h30, live on SuperSport.

5 Responses
  1. DOWNS4EVER

    Fix the left back position but if Ngobeni is not injured you just play free way Lebusa then, fix your favouritism.Modiba and Lebusa are not left backs. Create a healthy competition by selecting a team on merit only.And stop your complicated schemes and patterns because you confuse our players. Those who watch our ladies soccer and diski teams can attest to the fact that these teams play good attractive and free flowing soccer,the real Downs style.Stop suppressing the talent and skills of our players and give the constructive freedom of expression the pitch. You can’t tell Vini Junior or Mpabbe to trap and pass when their strength is to take on players,they will never be good players.

    1. Dalom

      Lebusa was playing left-back @ Ajax Cape Town, just that the guy doesn’t want to play there and that’s what he told Pitso. He’s just as bad in that central defence as well. Terrence Mashego should be back after the World Cup. I don’t know what people see in this boy, Ngobeni. To me he lacks confidence, and if he failed to make the grade @ SSU I just don’t see him succeeding @ Downs

  2. Mfana

    Downs4ever well said &spot on but I so wish our comments fall in good ears.I saw a gruesome injury on Dillon Sherpad the previous years but what a speedy recovery on the boy &was back on the field of play.But now we have players that first announced as having a bout of flu but it gets to a protracted injury that you never saw a Sundowns player going out limping or injured.Now Erasmus became a thorn on our flash,the same player who has been declared injury prone.Are these injuries for real or r just created by the
    word of mouth? Are we going to play without a striker,the whole
    Black Label tournament?I sometimes keep on wondering when did we become a finder finder team with all the artillery ,equipment &resources at our disposal.A coach would rather be demoted or dismissed just for favoritism.Hayi ,hayi,hayi aydumi kanje xa izawhamba.We support you Rulani Mokoena but if you want to be in our good books get back all those injured players to our team.As for Ngobeni he just needs game time,you can’t just freeze a player for an unlimited time on the stands&then loan out him,when his moral is low.The question is why did u buy him from the first place.But let us not be prophets of doom,let’s support Kompela &Rulani then if things r not going well heads must roll.We r still top of the log&we r going to win the league but I thought
    that Champions Leaguewas going to Chloorkop,I overthought.But lets fill&paint FNB stadium 🏟 yellow and stop being armchair critics.No matter what circumstances we encounter this is still our team,whether we like it or not.

  3. Malandela

    I really am not looking forward to this carling thing tmrw, they must just give our diski team a chance to go play there. We don’t want players picking up unnecessary injuries, you can see we not at our normal best yet and most teams know how to plan for us now so it’s gonna be a very long difficult season