Mokwena Makes It 2 Wins Out Of 2 For Sundowns

Rulani Mokwena has made it two wins out of two in his first games in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns recorded a second win on the bounce, beating Royal AM 3-0 at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday night.

Neo Maema curled the opener at the far corner just before half time, after Cassius Mailula lost his markers by cutting inside to set up the former Bloemfontein Celtic forward just before half time.

Mailula added the second goal, picking up a loose ball in the 86th minute after Xolani Ngcobo palmed the ball in his path. Surprise Ralani slid in the third in the 90th minute to complete a good week for Sundowns in KZN.

As this was a second win for Mokwena as the club’s head coach, they are yet to concede a goal.

Mokwena was installed as the head coach of Sundowns on Monday, in what came as a shocker to the country, with the club saying the recent performances were not pleasing in the eye.

However, Mokwena got his career off a good start with a demolition victory over Maritzburg 5-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday.

But they failed to replicate that and Mokwena cut a forlorn figure in the technical area, looking dejected with his team’s performance.

Lesvin Stoffels, who scored in the 3-1 win over Golden Arrows on Tuesday for Royal AM here, almost made it worse for Mokwena, but his shot was cleared off the line by Thapelo Morena.

Sundowns almost created another danger for themselves. Trying to play at the back, they lost the ball and Stoffels, seeing himself clean through with Ronwen Williams to beat, somehow fluffed it which scoring was the easiest thing to do.

While Sundowns struggled to create something meaningful, when they had a chance they made it sure.

Mailula, who was in a distractive mood by scoring twice against Maritzburg, cut inside to set Maema, who curled the ball at the far corner just before the referee’s optional time.

Soon after, Mokwena ran straight to the changing room, completely unhappy with what he saw in the first half despite the goal.

Mokwena was not happy with the application of Mosa Lebusa, who was playing at left-back. He took him off before the second half started, introducing Khuliso Mudau in his place. Mudau went to the right back and Morena to left-back.

Then things looked better as both sides were functioning, and Royal AM was contained. It was not surprising when Mailula and Ralani scored two in the last 10 minute of the game.

This win sees Sundowns, going to the enforced FIFA World Cup break next month, extending their lead at the top with 28 points after 12 matches, six ahead of second-placed Richards Bay.

This time last season after 12 matches played, Sundowns had 30 points with no loss. This time around they have 28 points with one loss.