In a surprise move, Mamelodi Sundowns legend Surprise Moriri has been reassigned to a new role again within the club. Just 18 months ago, Sundowns moved Moriri from coaching the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC]. Subsequently, Flemming Berg, the club’s sporting director, appointed him to lead the Sundowns Under-19 side.
Under Moriri’s guidance, Sundowns finished second in the Gauteng Development League [GDL] Under-19. On the season’s final day, they narrowly missed out on the title, finishing behind Sifiso Mnguni’s Highlands Park.
Heading into the final weekend, Sundowns held a superior goal difference over Highlands Park. However, a 1-1 draw against David Mathebula’s Kaizer Chiefs ultimately cost them the championship, as Highlands Park secured a 3-0 victory over East Rand Athletic Club.
Moriri integrated approximately 10 players from his initial starting lineup into the DDC squad. This necessitated a significant shift in his approach, which required him to use younger players.
“If you look at the team from the beginning of the season until the June-to-July, it was doing very well. I’m not necessarily talking about the position on the log but about the product on the field,” Moriri was quoted by SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We have about eight or 10 players who are training with the Diski Challenge team as they try to see whether they can come up with a team that can represent us in the Diski Challenge. That’s why you see now in our GDL team, we have only a few remaining out-and-out Under 19 players, with a blend of Under 17 players making up the team.”
WHAT WILL SURPRISE MORIRI’S NEW ROLE AT SUNDOWNS
In the latest changes, Moriri will transition from his role as Under 19 coach to a strikers’ coach within the Sundowns youth setup. He will provide specialised training and guidance to young strikers across various age groups as needed in this new role.
The club is currently identifying and appointing new coaches to succeed Moriri as the Under 19 head coach. A coach from Joburg City is reportedly a strong contender for the position.
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