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Mokwena pleased with Sundowns performance in Gallants draw
Mokwena believes Sundowns players always give their best.
Rulani Mokwena, co-head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
It wasn’t a result they would have loved, but Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena was pleased with the performance from his charges following their 1-1 draw with Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Thursday.
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The Brazilians were looking for a quick comeback and ending the year on a high after losing to AmaZulu FC, who made them taste defeat for the first time this campaign before the Gallants clash, but it wasn’t to be for the Pretoria based side, as they went on to record their second successive game without a win.
Mokwena, however, believes the team always gives their best, but it is not easy for them with a heavy schedule that requires a lot of travelling.
“It is not easy, it is not easy at all. Since the 4th of December we have played seven games in 19 or days, and with a lot of traveling to Stellenbosch, to Durban, so it’s not easy for this team and kudos to them for always doing well and representing the club well. It was a difficult game, particularly on the back of that result against AmaZulu FC,” said the Downs coach after the match.
“So we knew, even though we didn’t have confidence after that defeat you are slightly shaken with confidence, but a good response regarding the performance. I can say we don’t like the results, we don’t accept the results, but we are happy with the performance.”
The Downs coach added that the team has played more games than any other team so far this season and this is the main reason why they have fringe players like George Maluleka and Ricardo Goss some game time in the Gallants clash.
“Everyone talks that Sundowns has too many players, but this is the reason why we have so many players. Apart from playing seven games in 19 to 20 days, you are also speaking about a team that has played most matches in the calendar, we played 60 matches. That’s two seasons, two league seasons because each season has 30 games. It’s two league seasons in one year.”
Bafana Ba Style might have not finished the year with maximum points, but they should be glad that they hold a 14 points gap at the top of the table with 44 points after 19 games, with second placed Orlando Pirates on 30 points.
