Sundowns’ red cards indicative of disciplinary issues? Maema weighs in

Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Neo Maema has weighed on whether the club’s recent red cards may be indicative of a team-wide disciplinary problem.

Masandawana were reduced to nine men on the pitch in their previous match where they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League.

Bathusi Aubaas and Khuliso Mudau were both sent off during the match. Aubaas was dismissed in the first half, while Mudau received his marching orders later in the game

Prior to this match, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was also sent off in the Betway Premiership against AmaZulu FC.

Meanwhile, in a match against AS FAR Rabat, they also finished the match with nine man after Aubrey Modiba was sent off.

Sundowns have received five red cards in total this season, including Denis Onyango’s in the MTN8 quarterfinal against Polokwane City.

Speaking in their pre-match press conference ahead of Maniema tie, Maema asserted that the team doesn’t have ill discipline issues.

He believes that most of the red cards occurred in matches against aggressive opponents, which led to their players making mistakes.

NEO MAEMA ON SUNDOWNS’ RECENT RED CARDS

“Actually, we’re very professional, and playing away is always difficult,” said Maema in a pre-match press conference.

“We played against a very aggressive team, and the coaches already stated that they’re very difficult to play against when we play away. It’s not a matter of ill-discipline or whatsoever.

“We have a big squad, and we know the responsibilities that each player has to do. It was just unfortunate for the red cards.

“It’s not that it makes us an ill-disciplined team, but we are actually very supportive of each other when it comes to that, and make sure that when they come back, they don’t make the same mistakes twice.

“It can happen to anyone, because football is a team sport, and we have to support each other through everything.

“We have a big squad and quality players, and the match tomorrow, we know that they’re very physical. We know what they can possess, and we know because we’ve played them before at home.

“So, we know what they can do, we just have to apply ourselves accordingly to make sure that we minimize our mistakes, and make sure that we’re ready for the match, and make sure that at the end of the day, we walk away with three points.”

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