Sundowns coach Mokwena wary of ‘improved’ Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena is wary of an improved Kaizer Chiefs as he gave a detailed analysis ahead of the duel at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Mokwena believes Chiefs have improved a lot this season as Amakhosi will meet their old nemesis, Sundowns on Wednesday.

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Under new coach Molefi Ntseki, Chiefs failed to bag a win in their DStv Premiership opener on Sunday afternoon at home to Chippa United.

But the same cannot be said about the reigning league title holders, Sundowns managed to have a bright start with a win over Sekhukhune United.

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MOKWENA OF SUNDOWNS WARY OF IMPROVED CHIEFS  

In his post-match reaction and looking at Chiefs, the Sundowns mentor said Chiefs are capable of causing an upset on Women’s Day.

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This comes as Sundowns claimed six points over Amakhosi last season but under a new man in charge, Ntseki, Mokwena is seriously cautious.

“The starting point is we have to respect our opponent — Kaizer Chiefs are no different,” Mokwena said to the media per TimesLIVE.

“You know the rivalry between Sundowns and Chiefs and already that makes it a big encounter.

“With the performances of the team, of course, you have to also engage with some of the technical changes made. They’ve got a new coach so he needs time to work on his ideas and get the players to adapt to a different way of doing things.

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“It’s a bit clear that, even though they haven’t moved too far from the 4-2-3-1, there are moments where it’s a bit more aggressive with a 4-3-3, and the front three is a bit more in the advance line than in the previous season under coach Arthur.”

SUNDOWNS COACH PROFILES CHIEFS PLAYERS

Taking a detailed glance at Ntseki’s troops which are expected to be led by the likes of Ranga Chivaviro and Siyethemba Sithebe, Mokwena gave his opinion.

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The astute Masandawana manager was spotted at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium when the Glamour Boys hosted the Chilli Boys on Sunday.

“You’ve got Ranga, possibilities of Christian Saile who’s a striker, Ashley du Preez who plays upfront, so a front three that really is made up of strikers,” he added.

“They’ve kept with the midfield two with the base. They’ve played around with the combination with Edson Castillo or Sabelo Zwane, or Castillo and Sithebe, and against Chippa where they had Yusuf Maart and Castillo.”

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