Why most youngsters can’t thrive under pressure at Sundowns

Keletso Makgalwa has spoken out about why most youngsters are finding it difficult to thrive under pressure at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 26-year-old forward is also in the books of the Brazilians but is currently on loan at the second-tier side All Stars.

He joined the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit along with his other Sundowns teammate Promise Mkhuma in January.

Makgalwa admitted that there’s immense pressure that weighs down youngsters’ shoulders at the Tshwane giants.

He says this is because the club has set the bar too high.

KELETSO MAKGALWA ON WHY MOST YOUNGSTERS CAN’T THRIVE UNDER PRESSURE AT DOWNS

“It’s a big team, a very demanding team,” he said.

“And they want results, so obviously for a team that wants results every time, the demand is just too high [for a youngster].

“You’re competing in CAF [Champions League], even [FIFA] Club World Cup because I see them winning the Champions League.

“This is the strongest team ever. The mentality is perfect, they’re working very hard as a team.”

Other Sundowns youngsters who’re out on loan include Kgadinkame Modise [All Stars], Siphesihle Mkhize [Chippa United], Luvuyo Phewa [Cape Town Spurs], Grant Margeman and Siyanda Msani [Richards Bay FC].

And with Rulani Mokwena having recently promoted other lads from the development, it could become even harder for the ones on loan to find their way back to Chloorkop.

Meanwhile, Makgalwa is happy for the loan spell at All Stars and believes he’ll return to Chloorkop stronger.

He believes spending time with Sinethemba Badela’s charges will be helpful since they play the same type of football as Sundowns.

‘WE’RE HAPPY ABOUT THIS LOAN MOVE’

“So far so good for both of us [with Promise Mkhuma], I think we’ve been working very hard, especially with the coach demanding,” he added.

“Even here, you have to run, you have to help the win, you have to help the team defend.

“There’s no lazing around, so we’re very happy about this loan move.

“They’re pretty more like Sundowns, passing around. And the structure is the same. So everything is going well for us.

Asked if he was the one who asked for the loan move, he said, “Yeah, I did ask for a loan move, especially to here and coach Rulani recommended us here.”

“He saw that we wanted to come here and to build our confidence to come back more stronger.”

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