‘It’s caught us pants down’: Rulani Mokwena 

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has admitted the situation at the club has caught them pants down. 

Mokwena was speaking after the 1-1 draw in the MTN8 semi-final, first-leg tie at the FNB Stadium.

It took a 93rd-minute header from Khuliso Mudau to level terms and ensure the two teams go into the second leg on par.

Mamelodi Sundowns dominated play, averaging a ball possession in the region of 70%, but struggled to convert their chances.

In their previous game against Polokwane City, which they won 2-0, they also fluffed a lot of chances, and Mokwena bemoaned the missed chances.

The injury of Themba Zwane, which forced his substitution, further complicated their case on Saturday in the MTN8 tie.

Mokwena has since admitted that they are in need of one more signing to bolster the frontline. Peter Shalulile and Abubeker Nassir, who could both play that number nine role, are out nursing injuries. 

WHAT RULANI MOKWENA SAID

“We went into the off-season, and the analysis of our squad was that to go to the next level, we needed five players,” Mokwena told journalists. “Fortunately, with the support of the Motsepe family – the football club – we’ve gotten our five.

“We’re extremely grateful for that, really. What has happened has caught us a little bit with pants down and unawares. We’ve had some very good discussions internally with the football club, and they know my feelings.”

He was referring to the injury situation, particularly to the strikers, which have left them without a natural number nine. It comes after Thabiso Kutumela’s switch to Cape Town City and the uncertainty around Gift Motupa’s future at the club.

Mokwena said that the player he wanted to sign was a “qualitative” addition, not just a numbers filler.

“You need one more in a qualitative perspective and not just to add numbers,” he said. “My only trust now is to focus on the time we have during the FIFA break with the hard work of the medical department and the conditioning team and, in particular, the bios [biokineticist] and staff that works with recuperating players.

“My focus is assisting them to make sure we recover Nassir, Thapelo Morena, Peter Shalulile and Thapelo Maseko. I think if we get those players back, we should be alright because that was the initial analysis, but as I said, I think that now rests with the football club.”

TURN FOCUS TO CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mokwena believes it will be a challenging season for the Brazilians. They turn their focus to the CAF Champions League, where they play Burundi side Bunamuru FC in the second preliminary round of the competition. The first leg is away from home on 15 September 2023. Four days later, they take on Orlando Pirates in a DStv Premiership match. 

“For sure, the club will then make the necessary solutions, best possible for the football club going forward for what’s going to be a difficult season for us,” he concluded. 

Mamelodi Sundowns are the defending champions of the DStv Premiership and will be looking to win the title again this season. They will also be competing in the African Football League that kicks off in October.

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