It is not often that a football coach lays his feelings bare but Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena was not shy to make everyone aware of how disgruntled he is about a lack of appreciation.
Mokwena shared his belief that this is an “abnormal” season where Sundowns played and won the inaugural African Football League, adding six games to their already condensed schedule.
Sundowns had to hold a training session at ungodly hours this past Sunday morning when they returned from their Caf Champions League first-leg semi-final tie in Tunisia against Esperance.
With all that effort, paired with extensive traveling and an influx of fixtures as the Brazilians will play their eighth game this month when they host Esperance on Friday, Mokwena admits that fatigue is taking its toll.
“I’m very tired and a lot is going on, but no one cares, I’ve just got to get on with it. I have to do press conferences. Maybe I have six press conferences to do every week because I play a lot of games.
“I’ve got to plan training [sessions], I have to watch [between] four and five games. [In preparation for] Esperance I had to watch eight games and I have to do corrections,” said Mokwena.
READ: ‘Pressure is a privilege’ – Mduduzi Shabalala opens up on Kaizer Chiefs struggles
“People will say he is talking about fatigue and being tired, but he’s got 46 players. But there is only one head coach, and the head coach suffers with the players too. I am allowed to, I am human, and it is perfectly normal for someone to be tired.
“To tell the truth, I don’t feel appreciated. I don’t think the sacrifices and amount of investment that we give are appreciated. It affects me because I am human and I am not afraid to say it because sometimes speaking about your weaknesses is a good thing.
“But I am strong, I have the support of the club and the players, which is very important. My players are the ones who are constantly saying ‘Can you sleep a little bit’. They are on my case every day. But I can’t sleep because the moment I sleep is the moment the people will beat us.
Downs had a DStv Premiership match earlier this week where they chiselled out a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United and will now need a better score-line than that if they are to reach the Champions League final.
Masandawana are trailing by a goal to nil and would ideally need to sweep the floor with Esperance to advance.
However, going up against the four-time Champions League champions will not be a stroll. Any scoring draw will spell exit for the Brazilians while a 2-1 win will also not be enough to keep Mokwena’s side in the competition.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium will host the encounter on Friday night, kick-off is set for 20:00.
The grind NEVER stops! Midnight regen work and preparations for tomorrow's #DStvPrem action! 🏃♂💨#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/P4LRDXQLe8
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 22, 2024
