Sundowns’ Mokwena: What’s important in SA, result or style?
MAMELODI Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena says drawing matches is a national catastrophe for the club, given their dominance over the past few years.
Sundowns have been the team to beat in Mzansi for the past six seasons, thanks to a winning streak of six championships in succession.
And having shown no signs of slowing down as they are closing in on a seventh title, Sundowns have been on everyone’s lips – expected to always win.
Mokwena’s men have embraced that challenge, so much so that they are expected to compete for the other remaining trophies – the CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup.
The Brazilians are in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they’ll face Tanzanian giants Young Africans over the two-legged contest after the coming Fifa break.
Before that, Sundowns must focus on the Nedbank Cup last-16, where they’ll host Maritzburg United at home on Sunday night (6pm kick-off).
The DStv Premiership, Champions League and Nedbank Cup are a different kettle of fish, given the gulf in competition and opponents.
With Sundowns having drawn 1-1 with neighbours SuperSport United in the league on Tuesday, they’ll have to turn their focus to second-tier side Maritzburg United.
And they know they must be at their best on Sunday. “We must always (win), we don’t have a choice. When you draw a game at Sundowns, it’s a national catastrophe,” Mokwena said.
He knows that they won’t always get it right. Sometimes, they’ll be at their best and not win matches.
“And when you play well and don’t win, people say ‘But you’ve got to win’. You ask yourself, what’s important in South Africa: the result or the style?”
And having only laboured for a draw against SuperSport – where Bafana star Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring with a terrific strike from long range – Mokwena was pleased with his team’s performance.
“Every single game for Sundowns is tough, and we must win every single game,” he said. “We are looking forward to facing Maritzburg United (on Sunday). It’s another game where we just don’t have to win, but must perform well. And make sure that we get a good result.”