Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena claims the media doesn’t give his players the recognition, praise and credit they deserve for their performances.
The Tshwane giants have been in great form in recent months, registering 10 straight victories in the DStv Premiership and qualified for the CAF Champions group stages.
The excellent run saw them open up an 11-point lead gap at the summit of the log standings.
Elsewhere, other big teams such as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have been failing to keep up with Sundowns for years.
In the current season, the Soweto giants, Chiefs, are in fourth place, 16 points adrift of log leaders, Sundowns, while Pirates occupy the fifth spot, 18 points behind the 2016 African Champions.
WHY RULANI MOKWENA THINKS SUNDOWNS PLAYERS AREN’T GIVEN ENOUGH RECOGNITION
“Give recognition to Mamelodi Sundowns players; it is easy to be a big team and not in a position Mamelodi Sundowns is in,” Mokwena told the media.
“You have to look at some big teams, and they are not at the level. When you ask about other teams, I say to you like I always say to you. You don’t praise this group of Sundowns players enough.
“We don’t win games because of luck; there is a lot of hard work that goes into this group and the media doesn’t give enough credit and praise.
WHY SUNDOWNS ARE PLAYING TO THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL
Mokwena stated why his side is on the level they are supposed to be, unlike other big teams.
“I’m not surprised; PSL is a tough league. We all think this league is very easy, but it is a difficult league.
“It’s the level of consistency, performance that they put week in, week out, the work ethic, the quality that they show on the pitch in terms of decision making and execution of certain things.
“It makes me feel honoured and sometimes overwhelmed to be their coach because they are an honest group of players with extreme quality.”
Mokwena further revealed what kinds of players are needed at Sundowns.
“They [players] are able to go on every single day and have the right mental attitude and be able to play for this team.
“You won’t play for us if you don’t have that, if you don’t have hunger, commitment and intensity in your play,” he added.
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