Mamelodi Sundowns’ lifeless rubber Champions League tie in opposition to Al-Hilal could be a chance for Rulani Mokwena to rotate his squad, as he has executed a few instances within the DStv Premiership and Nedbank Cup in latest weeks.
Downs are in Sudan to tackle Al-Hilal this Saturday, who’re in search of a win to safe their place within the knockout phases of the competitors.
Mokwena, who was named DStv Premiership Coach of the Month for December and January alongside Ronwen Williams, who obtained the gong for Participant of the Month for a similar interval, says it doesn’t matter that the Al-Hilal Stadium can be with out followers, insisting that Florent Ibenge’s facet will come out weapons blazing in opposition to them.
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“They’ve gained an essential sport in opposition to Al-Ahly in the identical circumstances, so it is going to be tough for us as nicely. They’ve some good gamers however it’s a sport that we are going to work very laborious in direction of to make it possible for we win,” mentioned Mokwena.
“The journey (to Sudan) has been daunting as a result of earlier than that, we needed to make it possible for we play nicely in opposition to a tough Royal AM facet. Coach John Maduka has executed unimaginable since his reappointment. However my gamers invested loads of effort within the sport as a result of we needed to present the will to win in a special competitors.
“We had a little bit of relaxation and an adaptation session and the work continues. The gamers are working very laborious to play in opposition to a tough facet in an surroundings in opposition to circumstances that can be in opposition to us. However the dedication and mentality that we have now will at all times be to our benefit.
“I’m very happy with the group and the service that they supply as a result of they make many people very blissful. The work ethic is pleasant to see and we simply must put collectively the ultimate preparations,” he added.
Particular person accolades versus workforce effort
In the meantime, Sundowns first workforce coach, Steve Komphela has his thoughts made up about who ought to win the Coach of the Season, saying Mokwena is the primary selection for the accolade. Nonetheless, the latter appears to not dwell a lot on particular person awards as he leans in direction of the notion that soccer will at all times stay a workforce spot even when people are awarded.
“I’ve at all times maintained that in soccer, an important issues are workforce accolades and the person awards are a good reflection of the contribution of everyone. Congratulations to all of the gamers and the technical workers and everyone concerned within the workforce. Due to the supporters for pushing us this season.
“We come from a really tough interval the place we performed loads of video games in opposition to good sides. The gamers confirmed that they’ve the grit, and Ronwen confirmed that he was one of many gamers who stood out. We have now to present him loads of reward, however Ronwen doesn’t prepare alone… iron sharpens iron,” mentioned Mokwena.
He added: “The goalkeeper coach, Wendall Robinson, Kennedy Mweene, Reyaad Pieterse, Denis Onyango, all work very laborious to compete for the quantity on jersey. The workforce performs collectively and the award is an effective reflection of the workforce.”
