How Sundowns handled different group of players during mid-season break

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed how the club handled different groups of players during their DStv Premiership mid-season break.

The aim of the programme was to ensure that all players are on the same level when the league resumes end of December.

The players were put in three groups; those who played more matches, like Andile Jali, players who had less game time, like Bongani Zungu and those still recovering from injury, like Peter Shalulile.

PLAYERS WHO HAD MORE GAME TIME

“Fortunately, we got some top football players. We had a group that had a huge accumulation of matches that was given a two-week break,” Mokwena told the club’s media department.

PLAYERS WHO PLAYED LESS

“There was a group that we had to give an individualised programme under supervision, so they were coming to Chloorkop every day working with the fitness coaches and the physios.

PLAYERS SIDELINED WITH INJURIES

“Then there’s a group that is still working to come back to training, nursing a couple of knocks and injuries. It’s a space where we find ourselves, and it’s a space where we find ourselves comfortable.”

Mokwena further weighed in on the current season. He described it as an ‘abnormal’ one.

“It’s a very abnormal season with the FIFA World Cup coming in December, so we have an extended break during the festive season and then have a restart during the festive season.

“We had to adapt slightly, and nobody has the right way of doing it because this is the first time we do it in South Africa. Our way of doing it is trial and error. We used the knowledge and the experience of our technical team with coach Steve and coach Manqoba,” Mokwena added.

Masandawana, who returned to training on Monday after a two weeks break, are preparing for a tough encounter against rivals Orlando Pirates on New Year’s Eve at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

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