Mokwena lauds supersub Safranko’s humility
'Safranko is a good person who is prepared to help the team achieve its objectives', says Mokwena.
Pavol Safranko of Mamelodi Sundowns during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns held at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on 04 December 2021 © Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
Rhulani Mokwena has lauded Pavol Safranko for his humility and how he has remained professional for Mamelodi Sundowns after he came off the bench to net two goals in a 4-1 thumping win over Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership on Friday night.
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Before this game, Safranko suffered the humiliation of being brought in as a substitute only to be withdrawn about 50 minutes later. Mokwena justified the decision to recall the Slovakian as they had gone a man down and needed to restructure the team to win a tough battle with Baroka FC.
“It is a big lesson for football players because selfless football players always succeed,” said Mokwena, who was full of admiration for the striker.
“The universe has a way of rewarding people who are not selfish. Pavol understood the sacrifice that we had to make and we had to make it for the team and he accepted and understood that the team needed to make that sort of change,” Mokwena added.
He continued: “The player did not keep a long face and drag his feet and disrespect the coaches on the pitch. Pavol has huge humility and he respects the club more than anything else and when you do that, we have huge admiration and appreciation, not just as a football player but as a human being and this is what the gentle giant showed.”
The Masandawana co-head coach also heaped praises at the likes of Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba df Lesedi Kapinga, who came off the bench to helped Downs consolidate a victory that saw them move 18 points clear off their closest chasers, Kaizer Chiefs.
“Safranko is a good person who is prepared to help the team achieve its objectives. Thanks to him and many of the other substitutes for helping us, particularly Pavol because that sort of reaction helps us to understand the behaviour in the change room and that is very important.”
