Mokwena reveals what sets Sundowns players apart from the rest
Sundowns have eight players with Bafana as they take on Liberia this evening in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrating a Peter Shalulile goal. (Picture: Gallo Images)
A number of DStv Premiership teams have been playing friendlies during the international break to keep the engines revved up for the return of the league this weekend.
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But Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has taken the time to reflect on how has his players have responded to him as the sole head coach of the club.
Sundowns have eight players with the Bafana Bafana squad taking on Liberia in Monrovia this evening in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, after being held to a 2-2 draw on Friday in Soweto.
Mokwena says it is the human values that his players have, paired with football ability, that make Sundowns the immovable and unshakable force that it has been for close to a decade in the Premier Soccer League.
“I just see gifted footballers, they are honest and I learn a lot from them. I think the story that they are putting together is a life lesson for all of us because if you put your profession first and the club first, the results will come.
“They don’t have any issues. I have never seen people like this,” said Mokwena.
The Sundowns mentor has made it a habit to introduce youngsters in his team, with a recent inclusion being teenager Siyabonga Mabena, who impressed in his cameo against Royal AM the last time Masandawana played in the DStv Premiership.
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“Imagine at 16-years-old, you are coming on for Themba Zwane and training with Peter Shalulile. My players love each other and they live with anyone.
“You put a youngster in the team, all they do is accommodate and they don’t look down on people,” added Mokwena.
“They don’t have gripes and that is why God blesses them. Imagine when we played Al-Ahly and we scored five against them and the next game you have to play Royal AM. You have to do it for the badge.”
Sundowns will return to action this weekend when they host Cotonsport in the final round of the Caf Champions League group stages, with the Brazilians having already qualified for the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, the reigning league champions will resume domestic action next week Tuesday against Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld.
Downs need just two points to wrap up what will be a sixth successive league crown.
