Earlier than Mamelodi Sundowns jetted off to Sudan the place they drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal this previous Saturday within the Caf Champions League, Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena spoke in regards to the riskiness that comes with beginning their build-up from the again.
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And Sundowns have been confronted with the precise drawback when Abdel Raman stole the ball from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to attain Hilal’s objective, which was an equalizer for the hosts after Khuliso Mudau had scored for Masandawana.
On this explicit build-up play, Williams performed a brief goal-kick to Mvala, who was fast to return the ball to Williams however Raman was fast sufficient to intercept the ball earlier than Williams might play it vast to the left.
“You want particular consciousness. The goalkeeper has to have the power as a result of you may’t power them to have one thing that they don’t have,” stated Mokwena.
“The most effective defensive groups are those who defend the smallest areas. If the ball strikes from the goalkeeper to the centre again, it’s simpler to direct but when it goes to the centre again to the goalkeeper, the house is a bit larger.
“The ‘keeper should be capable to discover the chances as a result of if the areas are closed at one level, he should put it someplace else. It’s dangerous,” he added.
Kekana’s field marking, ‘unmatched’
One participant who Mokwena trusts within the field is Grant Kekana, who he describes as among the best zonal defenders within the DStv Premiership. Kekana, nevertheless, is unavailable in the intervening time resulting from damage, and Mokwena can not wait to have him again in his facet.
“Grant is the very best field defender I’ve seen within the nation. Once I say field, I’m speaking in regards to the penalty space. Others name it the purple zone. In a single recreation, there was an overload within the field and Mvala made a mistake. Grant simply waited and browse the scenario. I instructed him that I’ve by no means seen anybody do what he does,” stated Mokwena.
“He instructed me that he has been doing this his complete life at AmaTuks and SuperSport United. Morden day centre backs want play-making skills, so it helps when we now have gamers like Mothobi. Brian Onyango, Rushine De Reuck and Mosa Lebusa,” he added.
In the meantime, Sundowns will shift their focus to the DStv Premiership the place they now solely want two factors to safe a sixth successive league title.
