Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena revealed he directs most of his attention to those players who are on the periphery of his squad while appreciating their effort in maintaining a positive team spirit.
The age-old adage ‘you can’t please everybody’, rings ever so loud at Chloorkop as Mokwena insists he is trying his best to keep all members of his squad happy to maintain a positive attitude.
The DStv Premiership champions boast a 39-man squad, with a large squad bringing extra pressure to keeping all players happy.
Players such as veteran goalkeeper Brian Onyango, Sammy Seabi, Jody February, Reyaad Pieterse, Rushine De Reuck, have all featured in fewer less than four games across all competitions this season.
“I pay more attention to them than I do with Teboho Mokoena, Ronwen Williams and the rest. The ones who are playing don’t need my attention,” said Mokwena.
“It is the ones who don’t play who know how much I love them and I appreciate their contribution to the group.
“They are just as important. In boxing, they say you are only as good as your sparring partner, and they play an incredible role.
“Players like Sammy, Brian Onyango, Reyaad, and Jody are incredible human beings. These players don’t get to play a lot but they are part of the team.
“They smile, they contribute, and they train well. They have got incredible attitudes. I don’t have to say a lot to them, I just have to be there for them and help them to get better,” Mokwena concluded.
Sundowns, meanwhile, will play their last game of the season against rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final in Mbombela this Saturday.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
About 2⃣4⃣ hours ago this is what we were up to! 😄#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/FKoZYtZf4V
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 26, 2024
