Rulani Mokwena echoes Mourinho’s call for calm on Sundowns midfielder
In a move reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s past pleas for patience, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has urged the club’s supporters to show understanding towards a struggling midfielder.
The newly crowned DStv Premiership champions are eager to become the first team in SA to finish the league season without a defeat, and Mokwena’s comments come amid mounting scrutiny of a player who has yet to find his footing in Sundowns colours.
Sundowns claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over KZN-based side Royal AM at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.
Dominating SA’s elite league, the Brazilians have already secured their seventh consecutive league title with a staggering six games remaining in the season. Mokwena’s troops have been on a tear, boasting an impressive record of 20 wins, six draws, and remaining undefeated so far. This translates to a dominant 66 points collected in just 26 matches played.
MAMELODI Sundowns’ Mokwena Channels Mourinho, Calls for Patience on Midfielder
With Sundowns made to dig deep for a win against Royal AM, Rulani Mokwena has urged Sundowns fans to exercise patience on Lesiba Nku.
The left-footed attacker joined Sundowns from Marumo Gallants in July 2023; however, he has yet to establish himself as a regular starter.
Since arriving ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, he scored three goals across all competitions, making one assist. He has played 25 games in all competitions with most of his appearances coming on as a second-half substitute.
“It’s three or four games in a row; we’ve been speaking about it [impacting matches from the bench]. It was actually started by [Siyabonga] Mabena, when we brought in Mabena he was the only one who can impact the game from the bench,” Mokwena said on SuperSport TV.
“And then it became a topic to say that if the young ones can do it, what more? And now Lesiba Nku, in two games in a row, has done exceptionally well.
“You know there was a moment when Jose Mourinho was coaching Real Madrid, he asked the Madrid fans to be patient with Luka Modric.
“Luka Modric went on to be one of the best players probably in the history of Real Madrid. I’m going to do something similar; I’m going to ask Sundowns supporters to be a little bit more patient with Lesiba Nku. he’s very special, it just need time, if he adapts, they will see why we signed him.”
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