Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has shared his thoughts on the new look Kaizer Chiefs under coach Molefi Ntseki.
Chiefs made a fair start to the new season under new coach Ntseki, picking up a point from their opening game.
The Soweto giants were held to a goalless draw by Chippa United in the opening DStv Premiership encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
One of the key signings that Chiefs made in the offseason was Venezuelan midfielder, Edson Castillo. Castillo has impressed in his early appearances for Chiefs.
WHAT RULANI MOKWENA THINKS OF THE NEW LOOK CHIEFS
Ahead of Wednesday’s clash between the two giants, the Sundowns coach shared how he views the 2023/24 Chiefs squad.
“We have to respect every team, we have to respect all our opponents, and Kaizer Chiefs is no different,” Mokwena told journalists. “You know the rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. It’s a big encounter.”
Mokwena seemed to praise Ntseki for the way he set up Chiefs in the season’s opener.
“The performances of the team, of course, you have to gauge in relation to the changes that have been made from a technical perspective.
“Now you’ve got a new coach, and he needs time to work on his ideas and get the players to adapt to a different way of doing things.
“It’s a little bit clear even though it doesn’t move too far away from the 4-2-3-1 that they employed, but there are moments where it’s a little bit of an aggressive 4-3-3.
“The front three is a little bit more in the advanced line more than in the previous season under coach Arthur,” explained Mokwena.
WARY OF THE ATTACKING PROWESS
The Sundowns mentor is wary of the attacking prowess of Ranga Chivaviro, Christian Saile and Ashley Du Preez.
He also commented on the Soweto giants’ midfield, where Castillo looks set to become a leading figure. On Sunday, he played alongside Yusuf Maart. Mokwena also mentioned how Ntseki has “played around with that midfield combination”.
“Whether it’s Castillo with [Samkelo] Zwane or Castillo with [Siyethemba] Sithebe. Like yesterday, they had Castillo and Maart. So they’ve got that to give possibilities for a 10. They’ve also tried different players in that position.
“Mduduzi [Mdantsane] has been tried there both inside and outside. [Tebogo] Potsane has been tried inside and outside in the friendlies. And they had [Nkosingiphile] Ngcobo and [Mduduzi] Shabalala interchanging in that position.
“That gives them the possibility of having a second striker, depending on the profile of the second striker. It is either a central midfielder that collapses closer to the sixes or the eights. Or a 10 that collapses closer to the 9.”
The Downs’ boss is convinced the likes of Sfiso Hlanti and Reeve Frosler have the potential to give Amakhosi final third entries and crosses into the box.
In the new centre-back pairing of Given Msimango and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Mokwena thinks Chiefs will enjoy some stability.
ENOUGH TO HURT YOU
“The two centre-backs give them a lot of stability this year. A lot stronger in defending the box with Ditlhokwe and Msimango. So those possibilities show a big improvement on their side in relation to that.”
He concludes that the Glamour Boys have what it takes to “hurt” any opponent.
“From a physical profile, they’ve got enough to hurt you, both in open play and set pieces. It’s a team that’s in the process of improving itself. It does seem to me that, qualitatively, they have improved.”
Chiefs will visit Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday. It will be a tough test for Chiefs, but they will be confident of getting a result against the defending champions.
The game between Chiefs and Sundowns is sure to be a thriller. The two giants have a lot of quality in their squads.
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