Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has provided an injury update on striker Peter Shalulile who last featured for the team in the MTN8 first-leg semi-final clash against Orlando Pirates on the 1st of October at Orlando Stadium.
The Namibian forward missed a handful of Sundowns games due to an injury, but he has since made positive progress in recovery.
SHALULILE SPOTTED
Shalulile was spotted at the club’s training centre in Chloorkop with the rest of his teammates, and Mokwena has now shed some light on the availability of the goal-poacher.
“Peter Shalulile is here, he’s adored by his teammates, and he’s adored because he’s an incredible human being,” Mokwena told the media.
“But as a coach, this has been something that I’ve picked up over the years of coaching, and many people don’t realize that this is my second big club that I’m a head coach of.
“I’ve learned a hell of a lot, and one of the things that I’ve also learned is that when it comes to injuries, I very seldom speak about players that are unavailable.
“The only reason I do that is that the energy and the emotions I derive when I speak about the player that is unavailable are negative energies and negative emotions.
MAILULA GETS OPPORTUNITY
“I rather talk about players that are available because that then derives positive energy because you are able to give players like Cassius Mailula an opportunity.
“And you give him an opportunity not because of the unavailability of someone else, which is more negative.
You give him an opportunity because you believe that he can do the job, and he deserves the opportunity like any other player.
“So I don’t like speaking about players that are not available because I don’t like to be in the space of negativity. I’d rather speak about players we give an opportunity to shine,” Mokwena added.
The Brazilians are sweating over getting Shalulile back to his full fitness, as he has been a regular goal scorer for the club since he was signed from Highlands Park at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.