Mamelodi Sundowns team vs Orlando Pirates at the Loftus Versveld. Image: BackpagePix.
Khanye sends message to Sundowns
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has a message for Mamelodi Sundowns management and fans. Rulani Mokwena is the subject.
Mamelodi Sundowns team vs Orlando Pirates at the Loftus Versveld. Image: BackpagePix.
Mamelodi Sundowns are facing rare disappointment. Last weekend’s loss to Esperance in the CAF Champions League is the cause.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LOSE TO ESPERANCE IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The past weekend has been a time of healing for Kabo Yellow supporters. The 2016 CAF Champions League winners failed in another dream to win the second star. Tunisia’s Esperance completed a 2-0 aggregate win after a 1-0 win in the semifinal second leg last night. Sundowns completely dominated the game in both boxes, missed a string of chances before Esperance’s Read Bouchniba smashed home a killer winner on 57 minutes.
Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso described the win as one of the best of his career.
“It was rather difficult to prepare this game, probably the most difficult game I ever played, because Sundowns is an unbelievable team,” Cardoso said via iDiskiTimes.
“To compete in the right way, we had to use a tactical approach that would allow us to close as much as possible the spaces, the individual quality, the tactical variance that we could see on the pitch.
“Yesterday, I had a meeting a 2 o’clock in the afternoon, we almost had no time to practice between the two games, with the sleep and we didn’t know if someone was watching our training, so we didn’t make any big tactical work.
“But we had a couple of meetings scheduled, and we had a meeting at 2 o’clock and I cancelled it. I was not ready to tell the players how we should start the game – I had to sit with some of them and discuss,” Cardoso concluded.
JUNIOR KHANYE MAKES RULANI MOKWENA PLEA
Speaking on the Sundowns loss, popular YoutTube Khanye believes Mokwena deserves extended patience.
“For now it’s still early, I mean he just won the Super League (AFL),” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“I think it was the first trophy after the MTN 8 and he won it. Winning the DStv Premiership is something Sundowns are used to, they will win it again even next season and the following years.
“So honestly now we can’t judge him harshly because definitely they want to win the Champions League that’s why they are winning the DStv Premiership every year because they want to participate there.
“They did not reach the semi-final with the intention to lose. I mean you can see their body language and facial expression when they lose. I’ll give him the benefit because he has won the Super League and he has already won the league for me.
“Even for next year, let’s be honest he is likely to reach the quarter and semis of the Champions League, maybe even win it. Even if he wins it next year, it’s the following year that he will be under pressure in my opinion.
“He has done well for a young coach and has a bright future ahead of him. I’m pleading for humility from him because sometimes I feel he makes emotional decisions in terms of his selections.
“I also think supporters and the president they need to be patient because this is a tough competition,” Khanye concluded his big message to Sundowns.
