Rulani Mokwena outlines why Orlando Pirates are difficult to beat
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena has outlined why Orlando Pirates are a difficult team to beat ahead of the titanic DStv Premiership clash in Pretoria.
Mokwena opened up about the threat that Pirates might pose to Sundowns when the two sides meet at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in a DStv Premiership clash on Friday afternoon (15:30).
Recent history shows that this fixture has been dominated by Sundowns, with Pirates being on the losing side on four occasions in the last five games in the league.
But with the defeat that Pirates inflicted to the reigning champions earlier this year in the MTN8, the Sundowns coach, Mokwena, is aware of the threat his former team might cause.
RULANI MOKWENA ON THE DANGER ORLANDO PIRATES POSE
“So, tactically it is going to be very interesting because there are different things from Pirates and you can see it even when you analyse and that’s what the festive season has been good for,” said Mokwena.
“It has [break] given us, as the technical team a chance to not only watch three games but to go very extensively into Pirates’ team.
“Their two matches against Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Cup and league, the match against AmaZulu in the MTN8 final, our last matches against them.
“And then you get so much information because, depending on what player they use the system changes.
“The changes could be on the left, if it’s [Paseka] Mako, if it’s [Innocent] Maela, if it’s [Deon] Hotto, if it’s Vincent Pule.
“And when there is a different player, it looks a little bit of a different shape.
“The right also a little bit different when there is [Monnapule] Saleng, there is [Thabiso] Monyane, and then also the midfield is a little different depending on who plays, (Ntsako Makhubela), Miguel [Timm], or Ben Motshwari or maybe even one.”
“Then you have Fortune Makaringe who plays half and half, left wing, half 10. So, as I say, the last seven, eight games that I watched, there is always something different.”
“But it is better to be overly prepared then to be under-prepared,” added Mokwena.
RELATED STORY: Grant Kekana: ‘Orlando Pirates are a lot more motivated’