Mokwena gives props to Loftman for Sundowns set-piece execution

Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena has given props to the club’s set-piece coach Michael Loftman following Masandawana’s 2-0 win over cross-town arch-rivals SuperSport United on Wednesday night.

Goals from Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro were enough for Bafana Ba Style to claim the DStv Premiership Tshwane derby bragging rights.

Sundowns’ second goal by Ribeiro came from a well-taken freekick. A freekick that came from the training grounds to the game.

The freekick got many football fanatics talking and giving flowers to Loftman for a job well done.

Loftman was appointed as the Brazilians’ set-piece coach in February 2023, five months after parting ways with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side Venda Football Club.

When the former Orlando Pirates Multichoice Diski Challenge [now known as DStv Diski Challenge] coach was appointed by Tshwane giants, the aim was to raise the bar by including a specialist in the technical team.

Now, one can say that Loftman’s work speaks for itself.

RULANI MOKWENA ON MICHAEL LOFTMAN’S WORK

Mokwena was full of praises for his set-piece coach when asked what he made of his side’s well-executed freekick against Matsatsantsa at Lucas Moripe Stadium. 

“I don’t like taking credit for things. But well done to our set-piece coach for that freekick,” said Mokwena in a post-match interview. 

“We have a set-piece coach and we have players who can execute. 

“Congratulations to the technical team for executing so well, and congratulations to the team for executing it well.”

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ NEXT ASSIGNMENT

Sundowns will now shift focus to their CAF Champions League group stage encounter against TP Mazembe away from home. The game will take place at Stade TP Mazembe on Saturday, 2 December 2023. The kick-off is set for 15:00.

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