Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi has offered his perspective on the Brazilians’ current form under coach Miguel Cardoso. ‘Vila’, who won five league title with Masandawana, expressed his view on why he believes the defending Betway Premiership champions are lagging behind rivals Orlando Pirates ahead of the AFCON break.
Sundowns are currently second in the Betway Premiership, two points below the Buccaneers, who also have one game in hand. Just before the break, Masandawana were held to a 1-1 draw against Siwelele FC at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Prior to that, they also played to a 0-0 draw against Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger in a CAF Champions League Group C match. Subsequently, there have been constant murmurs about the future of coach Miguel Cardoso, who replaced Manqoba Mngqithi exactly a year ago.
SIBUSISO VILAKAZI ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS ARE GOING THROUGH A PHASE
But Vilakazi states there is no doubt about Sundowns’ quality, acknowledging that they are simply experiencing a phase before they click back into gear.
‘It’s a phase whereby they have to gladly appreciate it. I say appreciate, in terms of how they manoeuvre in this situation,” he told FARPost.
“Find ways on how to come out of it because players and the squad they have is a matter of finding the right parts. It’s a matter of fixing the puzzle, which I think is a puzzle right now.
“They should try to find the right components to fix it and make it good. Equally so, you are not going to have it easy,” he added.
WHY ORLANDO PIRATES HAVE SHOWN A WINNING MENTALITY COMPARED TO THEIR RIVALS
The 35-year-old has also credited Orlando Pirates, saying they have shown a winning mentality.
“You can see the strides that Pirates have made. There is no doubt that currently Pirates are the team in form. The team that they have, the winning mentality that can solve problems right now. So that’s the conversation.
“Yes, they might be phasing that, but you cannot shy away from what Pirates have been doing up to this point.”
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