Mokwena: Heavy is the head that carries the crown
COACH Rulani Mokwena says Mamelodi Sundowns will continue to give their best to win the quadruple, despite fatigue starting to creep into the side.
Sundowns are arguably one of the teams – if not the team – to beat on the continent, given their sheer dominance in recent weeks.
The African Football League winners are on the cusp of grabbing four titles as they are still in the race for the Nedbank Cup, DStv Premiership and CAF Champions League.
They tightened their grip on the Premiership and Champions League recently. They are leading the league standings by 13 points, following Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Cape Town Spurs at the Athlone Stadium – courtesy of a Lucas Ribeiro Costa first-half penalty – and are in the continental semi-finals.
Sundowns haven’t been at their best in front of goal, though, mostly winning by 1-0 margins and the lottery of penalty shoot-outs recently.
Mokwena has conceded in recent times that he’s also tired, given the team’s travel all over the continent and quick turnaround time between matches at home.
Speaking at the pre-match media conference yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash against the University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville (7pm kick-off), he emphasised the point about their fatigue.
But such is his drive to ensure that they take the club to dizzying heights this season, you can be assured that they won’t rest on their laurels in the next few weeks.
“Heavy is the head that carries the crown. We asked for the responsibility, and the responsibility comes with what it comes with,” Mokwena said.
“We haven’t been in this position in a long time, where at this point of the season we are still competing for three more trophies.
“As the leadership we just have to make sure that we are on top of our game, and show the energy and desire the players have to breathe off.”
No club in South Africa has won four trophies in one season.
And that’s what is driving Mokwena.
But before focusing on the Premiership and Champions League, Sundowns must get past their neighbours, the promotion-chasing Tuks, in the cup tomorrow.
After all, for Sundowns to win the quadruple means not only doing well in the league or African football, but in the Nedbank Cup as well, right?