Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says players who feature for the club want to be there – in relation to Lesedi Kapinga’s Nedbank Cup display.
The 27-year-old is said to have handed in a transfer request on transfer deadline day, as per SABC Sport as he looked to secure more regular first-team football.
However, the playmaker who joined from Black Leopards in July 2020 failed to attract any serious offers – before staying put with the Brazilians.
And on his return to the starting eleven, he provided two assists in the 3-2 win over Richards Bay in their last-32 Nedbank Cup clash.
“No they only here because they want to be here and they’re available for selection, all of them, there were a lot of very good individual performances today and that’s why the team performance was very good,” Mokwena said at Loftus Versveld on Tuesday evening.
“I’m not one to praise individuals because a lot of players were very very good and yeah – very good performance from the team.”
Mokwena went on to state that he’s fond of the player who’s featured in 157 minutes of football this season but his focus is on the collective as several players received much-needed minutes on the pitch ahead of a severely congested fixture list.
“I think he showed that he is here, with very good contributions to what was a very good team performance, and [I am] very proud of him, he knows how much I like him as a footballer and as a human being.
“He’s a good person too, quiet… but worked very very hard and this is what we expect from everybody that gets to represent the club and [he] took his opportunity very well. I thought he could have scored one or two with better decision-making. But very proud of him as I am proud of Sipho Mbule, Bongani Zungu, and Mosa Lebusa.
“Denis [Onyango] was good apart from the goals he conceded, his build-up play was exceptional, his distribution was very very good – proud of Peter Shalulile, [Bradley] Ralani was good also, [Thabiso] Kutumela was good, good movements and contributions. It was good to see Rushine, Rivaldo, and AJ – they were good, quiet, and controlled.
“So as I said, a lot of good individual performances which is why the team was good.”
Sundowns will now turn their attention to Al Hilal on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versveld.
