Mamelodi Sundowns boss Rulani Mokwena takes a jab at Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, saying they receive so much praise and recognition despite low success. Mokwena argues that Sundowns have been successful in recent times but they are not receiving the praise the Soweto giants are experiencing.
Looking at the recent past, Sundowns are enjoying the most success and are now gunning for their seventh DStv Premiership title in a row. On the part of Chiefs, they are yet to lift a trophy since the 2024/15 season under ex-coach Stuart Baxter.
As this season is coming to an end, Amakhosi is on the verge of finishing it without a trophy in nine seasons. Checking out the Buccaneers coached by Jose Riveiro, Pirates are the reigning MTN8 and Nedbank Cup champions but they are not participating in the CAF Champions League.
Sundowns Boss on Chiefs and Pirates Receiving Praise
The recently crowned African Football League champion, Mokwena says Sundowns are doing well but are not getting the recognition.
In addition, he argues that Chiefs and Pirates would be given more credit if they had the same results and success currently being enjoyed by the Tshwane giants.
The Brazilians are the inaugural winners of the AFL, they occupy the top of the DStv Premiership table and have progressed to the quarterfinals of both the Champions League and the Nedbank Cup.
“I’m under a lot of pressure, every day I have to win, but that is the nature of the business – you have got to win,” said Sundowns boss per SABC SPORT. I agree with you, I think you are correct to say – if you were to give the current results to anyone of the Soweto Giants, I think there would be a little bit more appreciation. When you are at a big club like Mamelodi Sundowns, winning is not enough. You have got to win and win and continue to win. That’s my life, it is something I have accepted.”
Sundowns Coach Mokwena on His Team Selection
Furthermore, Mokwena explained his team selection and he was quizzed about the lack of game time for defender Rushine De Reuck and midfielder Neo Maema. “They are not doing anything wrong – it is just competition, at a certain point you have to understand the dynamics of the club,” added Mokwena.
“We need Rushine, we need Neo and we need them at their best, and the injuries have not helped. But they are now back at training and they have to wait and fight for their place. Sometimes I am asked why a certain player is not playing, I can’t play all of them – only 11 can play.”
Meanwhile, this publication reported that Mokwena and Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos have a beef as Sundowns players missed the trip to Algeria. Mokwena referred to Bafana skipper Ronwen Williams and midfielder Teboho Mokoena. The Masandawana boss, Mokwena says Williams is nursing a shoulder injury from the recent Afcon tournament.
“Ronza [Williams] is struggling with his shoulder, and we have a very difficult Champions League game,” Mokwena told journalists after the match on Sunday.
“Teboho has been struggling with his knee since AFCON [Africa Cup of Nations]. Ronza also had a shoulder problem since AFCON. They were rested because they’ve got niggling injuries, and that’s really the truth. Are the injuries serious enough to keep them away from Bafana? I don’t know. As a club, we’ve always supported the national team agenda, and we will continue to do that.”
The 71-year-old Bafana mentor, Broos hit back and said if the Sundowns players are seriously injured, they must send medical reports to the Bafana team doctor.
Related: Broos vs Mokwena: Another Beef Between The Two Bosses
