Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why he’s not a fan of player rotation.
On Tuesday 25 April, the league champions were forced to make eight changes in their starting line-up against Richards Bay FC in the DStv Premiership.
These changes were mainly due to fatigue as they travelled for over 20 hours.
The Tshwane giants arrived in the country on Monday morning. Coming from Algeria following their CAF Champions League quarter-final encounter against CR Belouizdad.
Players who have had less game time this season like Abubeker Nassir, Lebohang Maboe, Bongani Zungu, Sipho Mbule, Terrence Mashego, Rushine De Reuck and Abdelmounaim Boutouil were given an opportunity to play.
The much-changed Masandawana side didn’t disappoint. They ended their four-match winless run in all competitions, winning the Richards Bay match 1-0, thanks to a Thapelo Morena’s first-half strike.
WHY MOKWENA DOESN’T LIKE ROTATING PLAYERS
According to the mentor, player rotation drops the players’ levels in the game.
“I’m not so sure if [player] rotation is always the best thing, I’m not so sure. Look at how the level drops, sometimes drastically,” said Mokwena.
“To elevate the performance levels, you lose a little bit of mental intensity. Being in camp, concentrating and hyping yourself up mentally to be prepared for the next game and the next game.
“[Staying on the pitch] is what players need for momentum, for rhythm and for mental involvement to stay in the season.”
MOKWENA LIKENS ROTATION SITUATION WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING ABROAD
Mokwena likened the rotation situation with what in happening with Premier League giants Manchester City.
Man City don’t make any drastic changes in their line up despite playing many matches in a short space of time.
“You have to check the big teams across the world. I was looking at Man City for example; four, five changes maximum,” added the Soweto-born coach.
“There is not a lot of changes, Ilkay Gündoğan is in the line-up, and Erling Haaland is in the line-up.”
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