Mokwena Discusses PSL Awards Nominations Ahead Of Wydad Clash

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says their PSL Award nominations at the club are a reflection of the work of the entire group and not individuals.

Sundowns secured their sixth consecutive league title and it comes as no surprise to see Mokwena, who is unbeaten as sole head coach in the 20 games overseen in the league as a nominee for Coach of the Season and several other Masandawana stars in various categories.

But ahead of their second leg CAF Champions League semi-final against Wydad Atheltic Club, he played down their recognition from the nominees that were announced by the league today.

“We’re just grateful to be nominated, I think I speak for the club in its entirety because individual nominations are only just a reflection of the work that everyone does,” Mokwena said at Chloorkop on Thursday afternoon. 

“I think we are just grateful to be nominated. So I wanna thank everyone for the support and for the probability of allowing us to be on that nominations list.”

On the upcoming challenge of hosting the reigning African champions for the second leg with the scoreline still evenly poised at 0-0, he emphasised it’s a mammoth task.

“Only half-time, so second half to play against the defending champions and looking forward to it and good… the team is ready and we’ll do the best we can to win the match,” Mokwena said.

“I don’t know yet, still one more training session to go, we trained today, I have to watch the training and I don’t know yet [who will replace Neo Maema].”

This was echoed by Aubrey Modiba who was present in the pre-match press conference at their club’s base in Chloorkop.

“It’s going to be a tough game because these are defending champions, so we’re not going to take them lightly, I think we’ll prepare well and accordingly,” Modiba stated.

“I think it’s for us to try and win the game because a draw or if we don’t win the game, it’s going to impact us in a negative way.”

Sundowns host Wydad at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon (15h00).