Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has detailed the stiff competition for places in his star-studded squad that often causes selection headaches.
Mokwena has tipped both Neo Maema and Rushine de Reuck to continue knuckling down as he revealed he still needs them. The duo have been struggling for game-time this year for the Brazilians.
Attacker Maema made a solitary appearance in 2024 where he featured in a clash against La Masia in the Round of 32 in the Nedbank Cup, where Mokwena’s troops triumphed over the Motsepe Foundation Championship side by an emphatic 6-1 scoreline.
Rushine de Rouck is yet to feature in the starting line-up this year with just five appearances across all competitions this season.
“They are not doing anything wrong. I think it’s just a competition at a certain point, you’ve got to understand the dynamics of the club,” the young tactician explained.
“We need Rushine, we need Neo, we need them at their best. The injuries have not helped because when they try to get a bit of momentum, they’ve been injured.”
“But they are not injured at the moment, they have to wait and they have to fight for their places in the team. They’ve got incredible competitions in those positions and the team is winning,” he added.
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Speaking with the media at the Nedbank Cup quarter-final draw on Monday where Masandawana was drawn against AmaTuks, Mokwena went on to say it’s difficult for him to be fair as a coach.
“Sometimes everyone asks me why Gaston is not playing and when we play Gaston, they ask why Neo is not playing.”
“I can’t play all of them, only 11 can play, it’s very difficult in a club like this. While we are giving opportunities to everybody and we are trying to be honest with how we do it.”
“It’s clear that we can never be fair, as a coach you can never be fair. You can only play 11 and you can only make five subs. I don’t try to be fair because I know it’s impossible,” he concluded.
Sundowns are at the top of the table in the DStv Premiership with 13 points clear and have two games in hand.
