DStv Premiership: Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena with Mdunyelwa’s progress, pleads for patience for Matthews

Mdunyelwa and Matthews are part of the four players who joined the runaway DStv Premiership log leaders during the January transfer window period.

Sundowns, who travel to TS Galaxy for an exciting league meeting at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Wednesday (7.30 pm), also welcomed Thembinkosi Lorch and Matías Esquivel.

The former Chippa United defender, Mdunyelwa, appears to have fitted in well at his new club.

The player, who represented Bafana Bafana during the 2022 Cosafa Cup in Durban, has made five appearances across all competitions.

Mdunyelwa has spent more minutes, 269, on the pitch compared to the other new arrivals at Chloorkop.

Matthews, who arrived from Sweden where he played for Sirius, has featured the least.

“What made (Mdunyelwa’s) adaptation a bit faster is his coachability, humility, understanding that you are at a big club, and you’ve got to adapt,” Mokwena said after the Caf Champions League game against TP Mazembe at the weekend.

“I was pleasantly surprised the other day when he called to have a one-on-one meeting with me to try and explain a few things that he didn’t understand. And I loved that.

“I love players who want to clarify things, who want more information and who want to be coached,” said the trailblazing young mentor.

“We spent some time talking about tactics, what he understands and doesn’t understand.”

Mdunyelwa has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the country and remains on Bafana’s radar as he has featured in one of coach Hugo Broos’ preliminary squads.

“He shows that he is coachable and wants to learn and improve. As long as he does that, he will be in a good place and improve,” Mokwena said.

Mokwena also explained why Matthews’ adaptation is taking a bit longer compared to the other new signings.

The former Borussia Dortmund junior teams and Utrecht U21 in the Netherlands left winger has played 25 minutes for Sundowns.

“Tash (Matthews), we have to be patient because his background is completely different to what you face here,” Mokwena said.

“The speed of the game is a little bit different to what he was exposed to in Sweden and maybe even before that in Germany. So, let’s be a bit patient.”

Mokwena is still trying to find the best way to use the Cape Town-born star.

“I’m not so sure about where we are going to play Tash. At the moment, I’m trying different positions, different schemes and roles but also, he is a good kid, very humble, very coachable.”