Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rulani Mokwena issues BOLD warning to rivals

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has warned the club’s DStv Premiership rivals that Masandawana will “hit top gear” in the next few matches.

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The defending DStv Premiership champions have made a strong start to their 2021/22 campaign, beating Kaizer Chiefs on penalties in the opening round of the MTN8 before edging past AmaZulu 1-0 and playing to a goalless draw against Gavin Hunt’s Chippa United in their opening two matches of the league season.

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Most recently, the Brazilians were held to a 1-1 draw by Golden Arrows in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals, but they did pick up a priceless late away goal.

“Going into the Kaizer Chiefs match we anticipated that it would take us five or six games before we hit top gear. Our performances so far have shown that we were correct,” said Rulani Mokwena, as quoted by FARPost.

“We are trying to work in a very systematic way and trying to be a bit scientific about how we go about the season because our form guide informed us that after a good start we had a dip in form towards the end of the season.

“To try and find a little bit more consistency we altered the way we are working.”

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Regarding their MTN8 semi-final opponents Golden Arrows, Rulani Mokwena added: “It’s not easy [to prepare], traditionally Arrows have had a very distinctive way of playing, and I think it’s synonymous with how they are known as ‘Abafana Bes’thende’, they play with a little bit of exuberance and play a little bit off the cuff.

“Even when they try to have some organisational forms, they still try to maintain the flair and the expressive abilities of their players and sometimes that’s where it can be a little difficult to prepare.

“They’ve got a very good team and a very good coach with a good assistant.

“They counter-press very well and their fullbacks are very important, they average about eighteen crosses into the box, so it’s a team where we know what to expect but controlling that is the most difficult thing in football.”

Mamelodi Sundowns will next be in action in a mouth-watering DStv Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday, 12 September at 17:00.

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