Amid the current debate around Mamelodi Sundowns’ using their financial muscle to dominate the local scene, Dan Malesela has insisted that coaches of the other clubs must find a way to catch up.
Malesela became the latest coach to address Downs’ financial power after his side’s 1-1 draw with AmaZulu over the weekend.
He insisted it’s doable to knock Downs off the podium, just like Gavin Hunt showed in the 2016/17 season with Bidvest Wits, when they formed a team with little outlay to frustrate Sundowns and win the league.
The debate over Downs financial muscle and whether Financial Fair Play needs to be introduced in the local game flared up again on Monday, when former maverick wizzard Jabu Mahlangu, who used to terrorise Sundowns in his playing days with Kaizer Chiefs, caused a huge stir after saying Sundowns have all the best players but some of them are sitting in the stands, counting Rivaldo Coetzee and Lesedi Kapinga, adding that it harms the national team’s success and the league has become unwatchable for him.
His words come after Sundowns created a new record by beating Chiefs on Saturday, becoming the first team to win 12 league matches on the bounce, surpassing Gordon Igesund’s record of 2006/07.
Sundowns are now sitting pretty on top of the log with 46 points after 18 matches played, 16 points ahead of second placed Richards Bay FC. Despite the massive gap at the top, Malesela believes it is on the coaches of the other 15 teams to find solutions to stop the Masandawana train.
“We have to look at ourselves and versus where Sundowns is,” said Malesela who was in the past part of Sundowns’ youth structures.
“But you must look at the quality as well and say who’s got more quality? Who can play around with this team and even be able to loan players all over the country, loan to us and other people, be realistic?
“Sundowns’ got the whole quality in the country and we are picking up there and there.”
To Sundowns’ credit, many of their players have been developed by their coaches such as Khuliso Mudau, who was always fighting for survival with Black Leopards and untimely getting sent off. Mothobi Mvala and Peter Shalulile showed their potential at Highlands Park.
But under coach Rulani Mokwena, they are now among the first names on the team sheet this season.
“But you have to give them credit as well,” added Malesela.
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“It’s not like they have players and not doing a good job as coaches, those coaches are working hard. I know those coaches. They really work hard and we have to catch up, we have to catch up.
“We have to find strategies around how we get there. Sometimes, and realistically you have to have resources to get this right.”
Sundowns will look to extend their lead at the top when they visit TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium later on Tuesday (19:30). Galaxy are one of two clubs that beat Sundowns in the league this season along with SuperSport.
