Sundowns looking to return to winning ways against Stellies
"They have a very strong midfield and they have the capacity to cover a lot of ground," says Mokwena.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena shares a joke with the members of the media during a Nedbank Cup press conference. (Picture: Papi Morake/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena and his technical team seem to have crossed all the t’s and dotted the i’s in preparation for Stellenbosch FC, whom they meet this Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup in the Mother City.
ALSO READ: Why Itumeleng Khune has stayed so long at Kaizer Chiefs
Stellies have not been at their best in recent games as they come at the back of two DStv Premiership defeats at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs and Royal AM, but as legend has it, cup form usually differs from league form.
Mokwena says there is more to what meets the eye insofar as Stellenbosch’s capabilities are concerned.
“It is always difficult to play them, they are a good side and the log position does not reflect their quality and their performances, but that is how football is. They have some very good players. They have a very strong midfield and they have the capacity to cover a lot of ground,” says Mokwena.
“They have Iqraam Rayners who has come back from SuperSport and their movement is very tricky and it is influenced by the link up between him and Andre De Jong.
“He is good with the ball at his feet and if you are not careful, he can force the centre backs to move into the midfield a bit more and then you have space behind for Rayners to run into. Junior Mendieta is also very important for them in between the lines. We have to continue to dig deeper and get more information about them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mokwena’s side have also had a dip in form in the league, and the Sundowns coach insists that there is no crisis at Chloorkop, even though they have only scored once in their last three games.
Mokwena is certain that Downs will do their best to advance to the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup as they look to retain the trophy.
“If you watch Sundowns games you can see that the players are trying to win the games. The road to success is not paved in the glitz and the glam, you have to sail through the turbulence and we have to be grateful because for others, the turbulence is very difficult and for us it is just three draws in a row. We have to appreciate that while football dishes out tests, it still does not affect us that much,” said Mokwena
