Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has used Pep Guardiola’s words to send a warning to his troops and yellow nation amid the celebrations of African Football League success.
The Brazilians lifted the inaugural AFL, defeating Wydad Casablanca 3-2 on aggregate in a two-legged final last week. It was their first trophy this season and second under the sole leadership of Mokwena.
The Tshwane giants have dominated the domestic football for almost the past decade. This season, they are gunning for a seventh successive league title.
They have also won three continental trophies including AFL, CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup in the process.
Mokwena has warned his players and the club’s supporters not to be spoilt by winning. He has encouraged them to enjoy their success since it won’t be permanent.
He says the Manchester City mentor Pep Guardiola is doing the same to his men as they are relishing their period of dominance.
Mokwena made an example of the EPL clubs Manchester United and Chelsea who once had long successful periods but are now struggling to win trophies with City dominating.
RULANI MOKWENA SAYS SUNDOWNS SHOULDN’T BE SPOILT BY WINNING
“Winning is an imposter, you’re not entitled to it, so is losing, it is an imposter too because you’re not entitled to it, it’s not on your birth certificate and it’s not going to be on your tombstone,” said Mokwena on Sundowns‘ The Pitchside Podcast.
“Now, we deal with them in 24 hours. We gave [players] 48 hours rest after the [African Football Football] final. For physiological and psychological reasons, it’s important to celebrate victories because like I said, you’re not entitled to win.
“If you think you’re entitled to success or to winning, you’re making a mistake. You only have to look at Chelsea, not so long ago, they were winning Champions Leagues and League titles in the EPL, but they are struggling to put three wins in a row.
“Manchester United, if you were to say to their board, players and fans, ‘how much would you pay to win one league title?’.
“They would give everything, there was a time when they were winning everything. But now they are struggling with how many coaches [they have changed] and with how much they have spent.
“This is what Pep Guardiola was saying to Manchester City players and fans, ‘don’t take winning for granted. Don’t get spoilt by it, enjoy it because eras come and go.’
“There is nothing wrong with an emotional connotation. You’ve got to feel something with the result, otherwise, you’ve got to question your level of investment.
“If I don’t feel the pain of defeat, there’s a problem. And if I don’t feel the excitement of the win, there’s a problem but it cannot be an obsession.”
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