Rulani Mokwena identifies invaluable trait his Sundowns have developed

Mamelodi Sundowns gaffer Rulani Mokwena has identified an invaluable trait the defending DStv Premiership champions have developed under him.

Mokwena says his men have mastered turning on their screws when facing stiffer opponents like SuperSport United.

The defending DStv Premiership champions beat second-placed SuperSport United 1-0 on Monday evening in a match both teams gave a good account of themselves.

Neo Maema scored the priceless goal as Mamelodi Sundowns opened a 14-point lead at the summit of the DStv Premiership standings.

SUNDOWNS FOUGHT VERY HARD

“Congratulations to the entire Mamelodi Sundowns family. The players fought very hard. This was a top-of-the-table clash, number one versus number two. 

“Good chances were created on both sides, quality on the pitch on both sides and Gavin Hunt hasn’t won four league titles by chance,” Mokwena said.

Asked about SuperSport’s tactical tweaks, Mokwena said: “The only difference was that Maseko played with a left foot on the right, and typically Gavin wants the wingers, both right full-back and the right winger, to be able to deliver balls into the box.

“Lungu was on the left with a right foot. He played slightly more inverted, but we were happy with the fight. 

“One thing we can never downplay is that we play, but we also fight our opposition. 

“We make a punch when the opposition requires us to make a punch,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.

The Tshwane derby win meant the Rulani Mokwena-coached side deservedly leapt to 43 points from just 17 games played.

ONTO KAIZER CHIEFS

They now sit on an 11-match winning streak as they continue widening the gap between themselves and others.

And at this point, it is hard to imagine them surrendering the top spot, considering how they pushed every opponent aside since the season started.

They will have an opportunity to flex their muscles again when they meet Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB stadium on Saturday.

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